Mangaluru: 78-year-old retired man loses Rs 2.12 crore in cyber fraud
Mangalore Today News Network
Mangaluru, Aug 21, 2026: A 78-year-old retired resident of Mangaluru has allegedly been duped of Rs 2.12 crore after fraudsters gained unauthorized access to his mobile number and used online banking services to transfer funds from multiple bank accounts.
According to the complaint, the victim had worked for nearly five decades at a private company in Mumbai before retiring and settling in Mangaluru. He had been using a mobile number registered in his name in Kurla, Mumbai, for about 10 years. The number was linked to several bank accounts containing his savings and fixed deposits.
The complainant stated that his mobile network stopped functioning in July 2026. During that period, he began using an alternative mobile number registered in his daughter’s name.
When he approached a mobile service provider’s office in Mangaluru to inquire about the issue, he allegedly learned that his number had been transferred by another telecom operator and assigned to a different individual. He later contacted another service provider and requested that the number be blocked.
On August 17, while visiting his bank, officials informed him that multiple transactions had been carried out from his account. Further inquiries revealed that funds had allegedly been transferred through online net banking by unknown persons. The victim immediately requested that the account be frozen.
After obtaining bank statements, he discovered several unauthorized transactions. Similar fraudulent transfers were also detected in his accounts held with other banks.
According to the complaint, a total of Rs 2,12,95,500 was transferred through multiple transactions between July 16 and August 18 without his knowledge or consent. He claimed that he did not receive any alerts, messages, or calls from the banks regarding the transactions.
The complainant further alleged that an unidentified person named Hemanth, using a particular mobile number, had repeatedly contacted him. Upon examining the bank records, he reportedly found details suggesting that some of the transactions were linked to a person identified as Hemanth.
The victim has alleged that the accused illegally obtained control of his mobile number and used it to gain access to his bank accounts, siphoning off his savings. Seeking legal action against those responsible for the alleged organized cyber fraud, he lodged a complaint with the Mangaluru CEN Police Station, where a case has been registered.