Bhopal Sees 65 UPI Fraud Cases in 2 Months

A new pattern of cyber fraud has been reported in Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, where victims' smartphones allegedly update, hang, or restart on their own before their bank accounts are emptied through UPI transactions.

According to records, one such complaint is being reported every day, with about 65 cases surfacing over the past two months. The victims claim that they neither clicked on suspicious links nor downloaded APK files before their accounts were emptied.

One of the victims, Ashish Pawar, reported that his phone suddenly started updating on July 31, and after the update was completed, his phone had been completely reset. When he reinstalled his apps and checked his bank balance, he found that only Rs 79 was left in his account, with Rs 82,000 already transferred through UPI transactions.

Another victim, Abhishek, a resident of Teela Jamalpura area, said his phone was hacked after it suddenly stopped functioning and later restarted. He subsequently discovered that Rs 80,000 had been withdrawn from one bank account and Rs 8,490 from another.

The victims have consistently claimed that they did not receive or open any suspicious WhatsApp messages, social media links, or APK files before the incidents. Many believe that their phones were remotely hacked, allowing fraudsters to access their banking applications and transfer money.

However, cyber police officials said that phones do not get hacked on their own and that such compromises generally occur only when users unknowingly click on malicious links or install harmful APK files. Additional DCP (Crime) Shailendra Singh Chauhan advised citizens not to click on suspicious links or install APK files from unverified sources.

Cyber experts warned that fraudsters often circulate malware through fake advertisements, social media posts, and deceptive download links. Users may unknowingly click on these while browsing, giving attackers remote access to their devices and sensitive financial information.

Experts also warned against cyber criminals who embed malicious content in seemingly harmless image files. Phones with automatic downloads enabled face a higher risk of installing unwanted files.

The Bhopal cyber police have urged citizens to follow basic cyber hygiene practices to reduce the risk of such frauds. This includes keeping devices in safe mode whenever necessary and being cautious when clicking on links or downloading files from unknown sources.

The new pattern of cyber fraud in Bhopal has raised concerns over the safety of online transactions. With the increasing use of UPI transactions, it is essential for citizens to be aware of the risks and take necessary precautions to protect their financial information.

In conclusion, the 65 reported cases of UPI fraud in Bhopal over the past two months highlight the need for citizens to be vigilant when using their smartphones for online transactions. By following basic cyber hygiene practices and being cautious when clicking on links or downloading files, citizens can reduce the risk of falling victim to such frauds.