In a haunting reflection of modern digital dangers, a resident from Sector 39-B, Chandigarh became the latest victim of a ruthless cybercrime, losing ₹8 lakh from a fixed deposit account—an account typically viewed as one of the safest financial instruments.
From Calm to Chaos: A Normal Day Gone Wrong
On the morning of February 28, 2025, what began as a routine day quickly descended into panic. The victim received an unexpected SMS stating ₹2 lakh had been debited from her account. Initially brushed off as a possible system error, her concern grew rapidly when two separate OTPs followed, hinting at more activity.
Alarmed, she and her husband rushed to their bank branch, only to be informed that cybercriminals had withdrawn a total of ₹8 lakh from her fixed deposit, funds that were meant to mature in 2026. The bank immediately froze the remaining balance, but the psychological and financial toll was already deep. As she later told the police, “It felt like the ground slipped from beneath us.”
Cracking Open the ‘Safe’ — How the Cyber Scam Unfolded
While fixed deposits usually come with added withdrawal restrictions, fraudsters found a way around the bank’s digital armour. They reportedly hijacked the victim’s mobile-linked banking access and used phishing tactics to intercept OTPs and credentials — a strategy increasingly common among tech-savvy cyber crooks.
Cyber experts believe this was no random breach. The orchestrated arrival of multiple OTPs in quick succession suggests a highly coordinated, well-planned digital attack. “The fact that multiple OTPs were generated shows that the attackers were able to orchestrate withdrawals systematically in a short span,” a senior official said.
Criminal Case Registered Under New Legal Code
The Chandigarh cybercrime cell has officially registered the case under several sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), India’s updated criminal law framework, including:
Section 319(2): Cheating by personation
Section 318(4): Cheating
Section 336(3): Forgery
Section 338: Forgery of valuable security
Section 340(2): Using forged documents as genuine
Section 61(2): Criminal conspiracy
The investigation is underway, with digital footprints being traced via mobile towers, IP logs, and transaction data.
Public Advisory: Stay Vigilant
Authorities urge the public to remain cautious—never click on suspicious links, monitor all financial activity, and report online cyber fraud immediately via helpline 1930.
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