A 74-year-old resident of Dehradun has reportedly fallen victim to a suspected SIM-swap cyber fraud, leading to an unauthorized withdrawal from his bank account and prompting a police investigation.
The incident involved Achalanand Chandola, a resident of the Race Course area, who noticed his mobile phone suddenly switch off on its own at around 2:00 PM on May 24. Although the device restarted automatically after a short period, he initially did not suspect any unusual activity.
A few hours later, Chandola received a transaction alert informing him that ₹98,000 had been withdrawn from his bank account. Another section of the complaint reported the total loss as ₹94,000. Alarmed by the notification, he immediately contacted his bank and was informed that the funds had been transferred through internet banking channels.
According to the complaint, Chandola had neither initiated any online transactions that day nor shared his banking credentials, passwords, or personal details with anyone. Investigators suspect that cybercriminals gained unauthorized access to his mobile number, enabling them to bypass key digital banking security measures.
The case was initially reported to the Cyber Crime Police Station before being transferred to the Nehru Colony Police Station for a detailed investigation.
Cybersecurity experts warn that SIM-swap fraud is becoming an increasingly common form of financial crime. In such attacks, fraudsters gain control of a victim’s mobile number by transferring the service to a new SIM card or obtaining a duplicate SIM through fraudulent means. Once they gain access, they can receive OTPs and banking alerts linked to the victim’s accounts, making unauthorized transactions easier to execute.
Experts also noted that a sudden loss of mobile network connectivity or an unexpected phone shutdown can be an early warning sign of a SIM-swap attack. Criminals often use this brief window to access internet banking services and transfer funds before the fraud is detected.
Also read: Viksit Workforce for a Viksit Bharat
Do Follow: The Mainstream LinkedIn | The Mainstream Facebook | The Mainstream Youtube | The Mainstream Twitter
About us:
The Mainstream is a premier platform delivering the latest updates and informed perspectives across the technology business and cyber landscape. Built on research-driven, thought leadership and original intellectual property, The Mainstream also curates summits & conferences that convene decision makers to explore how technology reshapes industries and leadership. With a growing presence in India and globally across the Middle East, Africa, ASEAN, the USA, the UK and Australia, The Mainstream carries a vision to bring the latest happenings and insights to 8.2 billion people and to place technology at the centre of conversation for leaders navigating the future.