Mumbai: Elderly couple loses Rs 6.75 lakh while trying to recover mistaken transaction worth Rs 3,325

The police are investigating the matter, while authorities have warned the public, especially senior citizens, to exercise caution when handling online transactions and verifying contact details.

An elderly couple from Chinchpokli lost Rs 7 lakh after attempting to recover Rs 3,325 that was mistakenly transferred to some other account after entering the wrong IFSC code.

According to police officials, the couple, both retirees with banking backgrounds, were trying to pay Rs 3,325 to their cable operator on January 23 using the BHIM app. After making the payment, the wife sent a screenshot of the transaction to the operator. However, the cable operator did not receive the amount in his account. Upon checking, she found out that the IFSC code that she entered while making the payment was wrong.

The couple then identified the bank linked to the incorrect IFSC code and found a contact number online. They called the number and spoke to a person who claimed to be the ‘branch manager.’ The caller instructed her to update her BHIM app and provided steps to follow, including sharing sensitive details such as her account ID. She was also asked to update her ATM card.

In the following days, the couple began receiving alerts of unauthorised debits, with Rs 90,000 and Rs 95,000 being withdrawn from their joint bank account. Over the next few days, a total of Rs 6.75 lakh was fraudulently debited.

The couple reported the matter to their bank and visited the branch to freeze the account. On February 11, they filed a complaint with the Kalachowki police, who have registered a case against an unknown individual, the Hindustan Times reported.

The police are investigating the matter, while authorities have warned the public, especially senior citizens, to exercise caution when handling online transactions and verifying contact details.