A resident of Aligarh lost over ₹2 lakh after his mobile phone was stolen, highlighting a surge in UPI-linked cyber frauds exploiting stolen handsets, prompting police to investigate evolving scams targeting bank accounts.
A resident of Aligarh has reported losing more than ₹2 lakh from his State Bank of India account after misplacing his mobile phone, in a case that has drawn attention to a fast-growing type of cyber fraud tied to stolen handsets and UPI access. According to the complaint, Jaychandra, who lives in the Talspur Kala area under the Mahuakhera police station limits, lost his phone on the evening of September 20 and had his number blocked later that night before obtaining a replacement SIM the next day.
By the time he checked his bank records, however, the damage had already been done. The account had been debited by a total of ₹2,05,728 through a series of transactions between September 20 and September 26, even though Jaychandra said he had never used UPI services such as Google Pay, PhonePe or Paytm and did not have an ATM or debit card.
Police have registered an FIR and are examining the bank’s transaction trail and UPI-linked details to trace where the money went and how the fraudster gained access. Investigators are also looking at whether the theft involved a technical loophole or misuse of bank-linked information after the phone was lost.
The case fits a wider pattern seen in Aligarh and elsewhere in India, where stolen phones have been used to create or exploit UPI access and move money from victims’ accounts. The420 reported that police in Aligarh recently busted a gang accused of stealing phones and using linked SIM cards to generate new UPI IDs, with officers arresting two adults and a juvenile who was described as the mastermind. In another Aligarh case, also reported by The420, a government employee said he lost ₹10.85 lakh in 12 unauthorised UPI transfers. Police in these cases have urged people to block SIM cards and alert banks immediately if a phone is lost or stolen.
Disclaimer: This article is intended to inform and educate, not to recommend or endorse any financial product, investment or strategy. Please consider your own financial circumstances and seek professional advice where appropriate before making financial decisions.
