Did Delhi Officials Commit UPI Fraud and Defraud a Colleague of Rs 24 Lakh?
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Synopsis
In a shocking case of cyber fraud, two government officials in Delhi have been arrested for illegally transferring over Rs 24 lakh from a colleague's account. This incident reveals the vulnerabilities within UPI systems and highlights the importance of cybersecurity awareness. How did the fraud unfold? Read on to uncover the details.
Key Takeaways
- Government officials are not immune to cyber fraud.
- Vigilance is essential when using digital payment systems.
- Awareness of UPI app functionalities can prevent unauthorized access.
- Regular monitoring of bank accounts is crucial.
- Cybersecurity training for employees can mitigate risks.
New Delhi, June 17 (NationPress) - On Tuesday, the Delhi Police announced a breakthrough in a significant cyber fraud investigation involving two government officials, leading to the recovery of over Rs 24 lakh that was unlawfully transferred to a third party by one of the suspects.
A man from Kolkata, Sanjay Chakraborty, along with Prakash Singh, an employee stationed at the President's Estate, have been arrested for their roles in this UPI fraud, which deceived another government employee out of Rs 24.40 lakh.
The case began when Surender Kumar, a 59-year-old government worker serving as Chief Household Assistant in the Household Section, reported that Rs 24.40 lakh had been stolen from both his and his wife’s PNB accounts without their consent. He stated that these funds were withdrawn through illicit UPI transactions, despite neither he nor his wife using any UPI applications like PhonePe, GooglePay, or PayTm.
The cyber police of Delhi initiated an inquiry into the financial trail and discovered that Rs 16.05 lakh from the complainant's wife's account was sent to a Bank of Baroda account held by Sanjay Chakraborty, a resident of Kolkata, while an additional Rs 4 lakh from the complainant's account was similarly funneled to another Bank of Baroda account managed by him.
Upon his apprehension in West Bengal, Chakraborty confessed to the crime after being questioned by the police. He revealed that he was receiving the stolen funds on behalf of his accomplice, Prakash Singh, for a commission of 2-3%.
Both suspects were arrested, with Singh, a 27-year-old government employee, apprehended in Delhi.
During police interrogations, the main suspect described his method. He had regular access to the victim’s mobile device and took advantage of his elderly colleague's unfamiliarity with smartphone applications. He installed PhonePe on the victim's phone, making unauthorized transfers of Rs 1 lakh approximately every 3-4 days over three months, all without their awareness. He also deleted transaction SMS messages and uninstalled the app before returning the device.
To conceal his activities, Singh utilized accounts belonging to friends, including Sanjay Chakraborty, who kept a small cut and forwarded the rest to Singh's account.
According to police reports, the victim used the illicit funds to purchase two Apple mobile phones, a motorcycle, a laptop, household items, and for travel expenses.
Point of View
It is crucial to approach this story with a commitment to truth and transparency. The incident underscores the urgent need for enhanced cybersecurity measures, especially among government employees who may be vulnerable to such scams. NationPress will continue to advocate for greater awareness and protection against cyber fraud.
NationPress
17/06/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
What led to the arrest of the officials?
The officials were arrested following a complaint from a colleague, Surender Kumar, who reported missing Rs 24.40 lakh from his accounts due to fraudulent UPI transactions.
How did the fraud occur?
The main suspect exploited the victim's mobile phone, installed UPI apps, and conducted unauthorized transactions while deleting evidence of the activity.
What actions are being taken to prevent future fraud?
Authorities are emphasizing the need for better cybersecurity training and awareness among government officials to prevent such incidents.
