Imposter siphons off Rs 23.6 lakh from bizman's bank account

In a case of cybercrime, the imposter obtained bank details and the signature of a Hyderabad-based businessman and got Rs 23.6 lakh transferred to three different accounts.

Hyderabad: Several cases of cybercrimes in times of COVID-19 are coming to the fore.

In one such case of identity theft, an imposter siphoned off Rs 23.60 lakh from the bank account of a Hyderabad-based businessman named Veerendra Bhandari.

Police said the imposter, who is yet to be identified, created a fake e-mail ID in Bhandari's name. He then shot an e-mail to the Begumpet branch of a private bank where Bhandari owns an account, requesting the bank officials to transfer Rs 23.60 lakh from Bhandari's account to three different accounts. The accused wrote to the bank that he was being treated for COVID-19 at a private hospital and that he needed the money to foot the bill. The accused also managed to forge Bhandari's signature. Without suspecting any foul play, the bank officials transferred the money to the three accounts mentioned by the imposter.

On Wednesday evening, Bhandari learnt that a large sum of money had been illegally withdrawn from his account. Immediately, he filed a complaint with the cybercime police. Bhandari informed the police that the accused may have forged his signature on a fake letter pad and used it in the e-mail shot to the bank.

Police said a similar case was reported some time ago. They said both cases are being investigated.