Elaborate Cyber Fraud Operation
A Ludhiana-based doctor, originally from Odisha and working at a private hospital, lost ₹11.42 lakh after falling prey to a sophisticated financial scam. The fraudsters tricked him into sharing his credit card details via a WhatsApp link.
How the Scam Unfolded
The ordeal began on August 15 when the doctor received a call from a person posing as a private bank representative. To appear genuine, the caller even spoke with the doctor’s Head of Department, citing a “technical glitch” linked to his CIBIL score and credit card limit enhancement.
WhatsApp Link Leads to Phone Hacking
The fraudster sent a WhatsApp link and convinced the doctor to enter his credit card details. Once submitted, his phone was compromised — calls were diverted, cutting him off from bank alerts and communications for nearly five days.
Money Siphoned from Two Bank Accounts
During this period, the fraudsters siphoned off ₹11.42 lakh from the doctor’s two accounts. They even called back, impersonating bank customer care, falsely assuring him that his complaint had been forwarded to cybercrime.
Police Investigation Underway
A case has been registered at the Cybercrime Police Station. Investigating Officer ASI Bhupinder Singh confirmed that the accused’s bank accounts have been frozen, and nearly ₹2 lakh has been recovered. Efforts are on to recover the rest and trace the culprits.
Police Advisory
Ludhiana police have once again urged citizens to stay alert and avoid sharing personal banking information or clicking on suspicious links sent via calls or messaging apps.
