83-year-old gets KYC update call, gets defrauded of ₹2.5 lakh after handing over phone to grandson

An 83-year-old man from Kolkata fell victim to a online social engineering attack losing his entire life savings to tune of ₹2.5 Lakh. piece of information that proved to be clincher for fraudster to win trust of victim, SP Sinha who resides in Thakurpukur, was table number mentioned on call. fraudster claimed to have called from same ‘Table number 3’ of bank, where victim held his pension account, he h also gone to same table during his previous visit to branch. 

purpose of call, fraudster informed 83-year-old pension account holder, was to update his know your customer (KYC) details. After caller won over confidence of elderly person Sinha, he handed over call to his 11-year old grandson to share information, under assumption that he would be able to navigate online procedure with more ease than himself. grandson in his innocence shared all account-related information.

Sinha loses his life savings 

After call with grandson was over, Sinha received a message on his mobile of ₹2,57,650 debited from his account. Moreover, he also lost access to his fixed deposits and recurring deposits. 

elderly victim was habitual to visiting bank branch for fulfilling his bank requirements and wasn’t well versed with online banking model thus falling prey to fraudster. incident serves as a stark reminder of looming threat of online and mobile banking. 

Bank customers should note banks never call ir customers and ask for any account or or information and data. customers can visit ir bank branch to update ir KYC.

On KYC update:

• Bank employees can never call any customer.
• Bank employees do not even message or call for KYC.
• refore, consider SMS or call related to bank as a wrong number.

How to update KYC online

- Log in to your bank's online banking portal.

- "KYC" tab.

- Select "Update KYC" button.

- Choose information you want to update.

- Make changes and submit required documents.

- Enter OTP sent to your mobile number to validate your request.

What to do in case of cyber fraud

• Call 1930 immediately, in case you become a victim of a cyber crime.
• Get your complaint filed within 24 hours.
• If online complaint is filed within 24 hours, re will be chances of recovery.
• Action is initiated only when complaint is registered on cybercrime.gov.in.
• It is more important to call 1930 and seek help than informing nearest police station.
• Bank personnel cannot even call for Ahaar or PAN update.