I-T officer loses ₹97,963 to credit card fraud

A 31-year-old income tax officer has fallen victim to an online credit card fraud, losing ₹97,963 after being lured through a fake website.

The victim, Rekulwar Shubham, 31, lodged a complaint with the East Division Cyber Crime Police.

According to the complaint, the fraud began on March 16 when he received a phone call from an unknown number offering an RBL Bank credit card. Shortly after, he received a WhatsApp message from another number containing a link to a website purportedly for credit card application.

Trusting the offer, Shubham clicked on the link and completed the application process. The website displayed a message stating that his application had been approved and asked him to make a nominal payment of ₹2 for processing.

While attempting the payment, he entered his ICICI Bank credit card details and authenticated the transaction using an OTP. However, instead of ₹2, an amount of ₹97,963.47 was fraudulently debited from his account.

Realising the fraud, the victim immediately contacted the national cybercrime helpline (1930) and got his credit card blocked.

A case has been registered, and further investigation is under way.