Mumbai: Rs 2.5 lakh cyber fraud reversed within golden hour

The senior citizen couple with Senior Police Inspector Sanjay Chavan (right) and the Oshiwara police cyber cell. Pic/By Special Arrangement

Acting within the crucial "golden hour", the cyber cell of Oshiwara police station successfully recovered Rs 2.50 lakh that was fraudulently withdrawn from a 71-year-old senior citizen through a fake RTO e-challan message. Prompt coordination with the bank and merchant ensured that the entire fraud amount charged to the victim's credit card was fully restored. Police, while highlighting the growing threat of such cyber frauds, urged caution.

Victim details

>> Name: Ashok Dingarani
>> Age: 71
>> Residence: Oshiwara, Andheri West

Where the money went

Fraudulent credit card transactions traced to a Croma outlet

Police advisory

>> Do not click on unknown WhatsApp/SMS links
>> Avoid opening suspicious payment links or APK files

Fraudsters can:
>> Hack phones
>> Access banking details
>> Transfer money without consent

How the fraud took place

>> Victim received WhatsApp message
>> The message carried a payment link

He entered:
>> Vehicle details, credit card information
>> Fraudsters used the details to make unauthorised purchases worth R2.50 lakh

Police action

>> Complaint lodged immediately at the Oshiwara police
>> Cyber Cell acted under Senior PI Sanjay Chavan

Team included:
>> PSI Sharad Devre
>> ASI Ashok Konde
>> PC Vikram Sarnobat

Key steps taken

>> Complaint registered on 1930 National Cyber Crime Helpline
>> The transaction was traced from a bank alert
>> Fraud amount tracked
>> Bank and merchant nodal officers contacted
>> Amount frozen within the golden hour

Rs 2000
Amount mentioned on fake RTO e-challan message