Himachal Pradesh Police Investigate Cyber Fraud After Victim Installs App Sent During Fake Bank Call
A cyber fraud case has been reported from Ghumarwin in Himachal Pradesh's Bilaspur district, where a man allegedly lost ₹15.90 lakh after fraudsters impersonating officials of Punjab National Bank (PNB) persuaded him to install a malicious mobile application.
According to police, the victim, Dilwan Singh, a resident of Baddu village, received a WhatsApp call from an individual claiming to represent Punjab National Bank. The caller allegedly offered a special senior citizen credit card scheme and convinced the victim to install an application that investigators believe enabled unauthorized access to his smartphone.
Police have registered a case and launched an investigation into the incident. The allegations remain under investigation.
Fake Credit Card Offer Used to Gain Trust
According to investigators, the victim received an unsolicited WhatsApp call from an unknown number.
The caller allegedly introduced himself as a representative of Punjab National Bank and promoted a special credit card scheme designed for senior citizens.
Police said the caller used convincing banking terminology and assurances to gain the victim's confidence before sending a download link through a messaging application.
Authorities believe the victim was persuaded to install the application believing it was part of the official application process.
Cyber fraud cases involving digital impersonation often require extensive Financial Investigation to trace fund movements, analyse digital evidence and identify beneficiary accounts.
Malicious Application Allegedly Enabled Remote Access
Investigators suspect the application installed on the victim's mobile device contained malicious or remote-access functionality.
According to police, the software may have enabled fraudsters to:
- Monitor smartphone activity
- Capture banking credentials
- Intercept authentication codes
- Access sensitive financial information
- Execute unauthorized banking transactions
Authorities are examining the technical characteristics of the application as part of the ongoing investigation.
₹15.90 Lakh Allegedly Withdrawn
The fraud reportedly came to light after multiple unauthorized transactions were executed from the victim's bank account.
Police stated that the total financial loss amounted to approximately ₹15.90 lakh.
After receiving withdrawal alerts, the victim approached Ghumarwin Police Station, where a formal complaint was registered.
Investigators are now reviewing banking records and digital evidence to determine how the funds were transferred.
Accurate Bookkeeping Services and transaction-level recordkeeping are often essential during forensic financial investigations to reconstruct unauthorized fund movements.
Digital Investigation Underway
Cybercrime investigators are analysing several technical aspects of the case, including:
- WhatsApp call records
- Mobile numbers used by the suspects
- Internet Protocol (IP) logs
- Malicious application links
- Destination bank accounts
- Financial transaction trails
Authorities are also examining whether the stolen funds were routed through digital wallets or mule bank accounts before reaching their final destination.
Where funds move across multiple institutions or jurisdictions, compliance relating to Cross Border Payment regulations may become relevant if international transaction links are identified during the investigation.
Police Urge Public to Remain Vigilant
Cybersecurity experts have repeatedly warned that fraudsters commonly impersonate:
- Bank officials
- Credit card executives
- Customer support representatives
- Loan officers
- KYC verification teams
Police advise citizens to remember that legitimate banks generally do not ask customers through WhatsApp calls to:
- Download third-party applications
- Share mobile screens
- Click on unknown links
- Reveal OTPs or banking credentials
Individuals are encouraged to independently verify any financial offers through official bank branches or authorised customer care channels before taking action.
Early Reporting Can Improve Recovery Chances
Law enforcement authorities have advised victims of cyber fraud to report incidents immediately through:
- The 1930 National Cyber Crime Helpline
- The National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal
Prompt reporting can help investigators initiate account-freezing procedures, preserve digital evidence and improve the likelihood of recovering fraudulently transferred funds.
Investigation Continues
Police continue to analyse digital evidence, banking records and financial transactions connected with the case.
Further action will depend upon forensic examination, technical analysis and evidence collected during the investigation.
No findings regarding the identity or guilt of the perpetrators have been established at this stage.