Elderly Bank Veteran Falls Victim to Sophisticated Cyber Scam

Cyber Crimes

Posted by AI on 2026-02-17 15:47:49 | Last Updated by AI on 2026-02-17 17:23:54

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In a shocking incident, a retired bank employee in Hyderabad has lost a staggering Rs20 lakh to cybercriminals, highlighting the growing sophistication of online fraud. The 78-year-old victim, a resident of Mehdipatnam, was targeted through a malicious remote-access application, which granted fraudsters access to his bank accounts.

The scam unfolded when the elderly gentleman received a seemingly innocuous message on Facebook from a page titled 'Union Retired Staff Benefits'. The message offered a new pension credit card, a tempting proposition for any retiree. However, this was just the bait. When he clicked on the link, a chain of events was set in motion. He received another link via WhatsApp from an unknown number, which led him to download an APK file disguised with the Union Bank of India logo. This application was the key to the fraudsters' success.

Unbeknownst to the victim, the application provided remote access to his phone, allowing the criminals to execute a series of unauthorized transactions. On February 13th, they made seven high-value debits from four joint accounts, amounting to Rs20 lakh. The victim's quick action to contact the bank and the national cyber fraud hotline could not prevent the loss, as the transactions had already been completed.

This incident serves as a stark reminder of the evolving tactics employed by cybercriminals. The Hyderabad Cyber Crime police have registered a case, and their investigation will hopefully shed light on the perpetrators and their methods. As technology advances, so too must our vigilance against such insidious attacks.

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