Cyber Fraudsters Target Pensioner in Gumla, Withdraw ₹72,500 Through Bank Account Manipulation
Brief By Newsbrief / 4:56 PM on 13 Jun 2026
A new cyber fraud case has emerged in Jharkhand’s Gumla district, where cybercriminals allegedly cheated a pensioner out of ₹72,500 by exploiting banking transactions between her accounts. The incident has once again highlighted the growing sophistication of cyber fraud schemes targeting ordinary citizens.
According to reports, the victim, 56-year-old Geeta Kumari Lakra, a resident of Puggu Nawatoli, maintains two separate accounts at the State Bank of India’s Gumla branch—one for salary payments and another for pension benefits. The fraud came to light when she learned that ₹3,000 had been deposited into her salary account.
Initially, the transaction appeared to be a routine banking activity. However, when Lakra visited the bank to seek clarification regarding the deposit, officials discovered suspicious transactions linked to her accounts. Investigations revealed that unknown cybercriminals had first transferred ₹3,000 into her salary account and then moved the same amount to her pension account. Subsequently, they allegedly withdrew a total of ₹72,500 from the pension account without authorization.
Bank officials informed the victim that the withdrawn amount had been transferred through a UPI transaction to an account in Indian Overseas Bank. Realizing that she had become a victim of cyber fraud, Lakra immediately reported the matter to the National Cyber Helpline (1930).
She also filed formal complaints with the cyber cell and Gumla police, seeking an investigation and recovery of the stolen funds. As part of the initial response, authorities have reportedly placed a hold on the beneficiary bank account, improving the chances of recovering the money.
Police have registered a case against unidentified cybercriminals and launched an investigation. Officials stated that the complete transaction trail is being examined to identify those responsible.
The incident serves as a reminder that cybercriminals are constantly developing new methods to exploit banking systems. Authorities continue to urge citizens to remain alert and immediately report any suspicious financial activity, unknown links, or unusual account transactions.