Udupi: A man from Udupi has lodged a police complaint after losing ₹48,500 to an online banking fraud. The victim, identified as Umesh, stated that he began receiving suspicious messages from unknown numbers on his mobile phone on the morning of August 30, 2025.

At 10:48 a.m., he received a message notifying that his Union Bank ATM PIN had been reset and a new PIN had been generated. Moments later, another message confirmed a debit of ₹48,500 from his account.

Victim discovers unauthorised transfer

Shocked by the transaction, Umesh immediately approached his Union Bank branch to seek clarification. Bank officials confirmed that the amount had been transferred to an unknown account and advised him to file a police complaint.

The victim believes that cybercriminals gained unauthorised access to his account and fraudulently changed his ATM PIN before withdrawing the funds.

Police register case under BNS and IT Act

Based on Umesh’s complaint, a case has been registered at Udupi Town Police Station under Section 318(4) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and Section 66(D) of the Information Technology Act, which deal with cheating and fraud committed using electronic means.

Police have initiated an investigation to trace the beneficiary account and identify the fraudsters. Cyber experts are expected to assist in analysing the transaction trail and determining the source of the PIN reset request.

Rising trend of cyber fraud

Incidents of cyber fraud and digital banking scams have been on the rise across Karnataka, with fraudsters employing sophisticated techniques to compromise accounts. In many cases, victims unknowingly share sensitive information through phishing links, fake customer care numbers, or malicious apps.

Authorities have urged citizens to:

  • Never share ATM PINs, OTPs, or banking credentials over phone or message.

  • Report suspicious messages to the bank’s helpline immediately.

  • Enable real-time transaction alerts and multi-factor authentication.

  • Approach the nearest cybercrime police station in case of fraud.

    • Bank and police warn public

    Bank officials reiterated that financial institutions never ask for ATM PINs, passwords, or OTPs through calls or messages. Customers have been advised to ignore unknown messages and to verify any communication by directly contacting the bank.

    Udupi Police stated that they are actively coordinating with the bank and cybercrime teams to track the culprits. They have also appealed to the public to remain vigilant and report incidents promptly, as immediate reporting increases the chances of recovering funds.

    Conclusion

    With cybercriminals constantly devising new strategies, banking customers must exercise caution to protect their savings. The Udupi case serves as a reminder that timely action and awareness are key in preventing financial losses due to digital fraud.