78-Year-Old Retired Inspector Duped of ₹4.03 Lakh Through Fake Pension Update Ad

Pinjore: Cyber fraudsters cheated a 78-year-old retired government inspector of ₹4.03 lakh after luring him with a fake online life certificate update advertisement.

Baldev Krishna Sharma, a resident of Himshikha Society and a retired inspector from the Food and Supplies Department, was scrolling Facebook when he saw an ad claiming that Punjab National Bank pensioners could update their life certificates online. After he clicked the link, a file began downloading on his phone.

Soon after, an unknown caller contacted him, asked about the download, and later extracted sensitive details including his bank account number, Aadhaar number, ATM card details, and PIN. Another caller on WhatsApp sought more information.

The next day, three unauthorized RTGS transactions — ₹1, ₹3,000, and ₹4,00,000 — were made from his PNB account. On receiving alerts, Sharma rushed to the bank, where the fraud was confirmed. He immediately blocked his account and lodged a complaint on the Cyber Crime Helpline 1930.

The complaint was forwarded to the Cyber Crime Police Station, which has registered a case and initiated an investigation. Officials said cyber forensic analysis of the mobile numbers, the APK link used in the scam, and the money trail is underway. Technical efforts have been intensified to trace the culprits.