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Cybercrime on rise, two incidents reported in Bihar

During the lockdown, net banking, digital payment and online shopping have increased. But, due to the lack of information and awareness people are becoming victims of cyber fraud. With criminals inventing new ways of fraud, only caution can save us from falling into traps of the scammers.

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Published : Dec 15, 2020, 2:49 PM IST

Updated : Dec 15, 2020, 3:36 PM IST

Patna:In two separate incidents of the cyber fraud in the state, a retired NALCO officer was cheated of Rs 40 lakh from his account and a woman professor was duped of Rs 42 lakh via cloned cheque.

Case 1: Retired officer cheated of Rs 40 lakh

Prakash Chandra, a resident of Akhauri of Sasaram, was posted as HRD in NALCO and had bought a flat in Patna. After retirement, he sold that flat and deposited 40 lakh rupees in his Axis Bank account so that interests would come.

When he did not receive interest for 3-4 consecutive months during the lockdown, he approached the bank. The bankers investigated his account and realised the case of duping. The bank manager told Prakash Chandra that cybercriminals have accessed his account and made payments to two jewellery shops based in Varanasi using his Rs 40 lakh.

Cybercrime in Bihar

Online shopping

Prakash Chandra filed a written complaint with the concerned police station of the con after which investigating started.

It was revealed that jewellery worth Rs 10 lakh was purchased from one shop and Rs 30 lakh from another shop.

When the victim reached the said shop with the police, the CCTV footage could not be retrieved as many days had passed and the shopkeepers did not even have details of buyers' PAN card.

But the mobile number of one of the culprit was registered in a shop. With the help of that number, the names of 8 criminals were revealed in the sequence of investigation. Out of which 4 have been arrested. While the other 4 are still absconding.

Cybercrime in Bihar

The culprits

Two of the accused involved in the case are Prakahsh's tenants. Prakash Chandra had taken the facility of net banking in mobile but had to seek others help for its use.

Taking advantage of this, the criminals made a purchase and paid to the jewellery shop from his account.

Demands justice from PM Modi

Victim Prakash Chandra said that he still hasn't gotten the money he had lost from his account and in this regard, he has written letters to Union Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad and PM Modi demanding justice.

He had also requested the RBI to intervene in the case and has been given the assurance of action from the RBI. In swift processing of the case, the police have arrested 4 miscreants but have slowed down in tracing the other four who are absconding.

Cybercrime in Bihar

What does the Economic Offences Unit say

According to the Economic offences Unit since the trend of digital payment has increased and the inclination of people towards net banking has also increased. But they are not aware of the precautions to be taken during its use.

Many users have to seek someone's help for net banking. They even reveal their user ID and password to people helping them. Using the sensitive data, the helper can access all the information of the account.

Many cases of fraud are coming out in this regard.

Case-2: Withdrawal of 42 lakhs from the account of female professor

The second case is related to the woman professor living in the Chowk police station area of ​​Patna City. With a clone check, Rs 42 lakh 38 thousand were withdrawn from her bank account and she wasn't even aware of it.

The criminals first blocked the mobile banking of the victim and then in several instalments withdrew money from Patna, Mumbai and Hyderabad. Due to this, the transaction message was not received by the victim.

The money has been siphoned by the victim's RPS College account near Central Bank and the matter came to light when she updated her bank account.

She then complained to the bank and the police and an investigation is going on in the case.

The victim said that she had deposited the money for the daughter's wedding, but the miscreants emptied their accounts.

Expert's opinion

Cybercrime in Bihar

According to cyber expert Abhinav Saurabh, if money is withdrawn with a fake check, then the bank is completely guilty. After the case is proved in court, the bank has to reimburse the amount.

It is to be noted that during the lockdown, net banking, digital payment and online shopping have increased. But due to the lack of information and awareness, people are becoming victims of cyber fraud.

Criminals are inventing new ways of fraud and in situations like these, only caution can save us.

Last Updated : Dec 15, 2020, 3:36 PM IST

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