Cyber Fraud in Jamshedpur: Cyber Criminals Target Two in Jamshedpur, ₹4.20 Lakh Withdrawn | Silver Coin Scam & Courier Link Fraud

Jamshedpur, April 16, 2025: In a fresh wave of cyber fraud in Jharkhand, two residents of Jamshedpur have reportedly lost over ₹4 lakh to online fraudsters in separate incidents. The cases, currently under police investigation, have raised concerns over increasing cybercrime in urban areas and the need for stronger digital vigilance.

Courier Link Scam: Victim Loses ₹2 Lakh from Bank Account

The first incident involves Rajesh Kumar, a resident of Birsanagar, who became a victim of a deceptive courier delivery scam. According to the police, Rajesh had booked a parcel via a courier service named Anjani Courier. When the delivery was delayed, he searched the company’s contact number online and called the listed customer support.

He was asked to click on a payment link and pay ₹5 to confirm the complaint. Moments after making the payment, Rajesh noticed that a total of ₹2 lakh was withdrawn from his bank account without authorization.

Initial investigation suggests that the scammers gained access to Rajesh’s UPI credentials using the malicious link. Cybercrime officials suspect the use of phishing techniques and third-party app permissions to gain control over digital wallets.

Investment Fraud: Silver Coin Offer Leads to ₹2.20 Lakh Loss

In another similar case from Vijaya Garden, Abhishek Kumar was targeted by cyber criminals who posed as representatives of a company named DCX. He received an SMS claiming that by purchasing a silver coin at a discounted price, he could earn significant returns.

Tempted by the fake investment offer, Abhishek followed the instructions in the message, only to discover later that ₹2.20 lakh had been siphoned off from his bank account. The police believe that the fraudulent message was part of a larger scam involving multiple victims across different regions.

Police Action and Cyber Crime Investigation Underway

Both cases have been reported to the local police and cyber crime units are actively investigating the source of the fraud. Officers have begun tracking the UPI transactions and phone numbers linked to the scam. Digital forensics teams are also analyzing the payment links and the devices used for access.

A senior police officer handling the case stated, “The use of phishing links disguised as courier payment gateways and investment opportunities is on the rise. We urge citizens to never trust contact numbers found through random web searches and to avoid clicking on unverified payment links.”

Rise in UPI Scams and Digital Banking Frauds

With the widespread use of UPI for digital transactions in India, cyber fraudsters are increasingly targeting unsuspecting users by exploiting weak security practices and public trust. According to recent reports, hundreds of similar cases have been registered across the country where small payment links have led to large-scale financial losses.

In many cases, fraudsters use Google listings, fake websites and bulk SMS messages to pose as legitimate service providers or financial firms.

Awareness and Cyber Hygiene: Police Urge Public Caution

Law enforcement agencies are emphasizing the need for enhanced public awareness regarding digital banking safety. The police have recommended the following precautions:

Citizens are encouraged to report any suspicious activity immediately through the Cyber Crime Helpline (1930) or visit cybercrime.gov.in for lodging complaints.

Digital Crime and Local Impact in Jharkhand

These two cases highlight a growing threat in urban and semi-urban areas of Jharkhand, where cyber literacy is still developing. While metro cities have begun adopting better security protocols, tier-2 cities like Jamshedpur are becoming soft targets due to low digital awareness and easy access to personal data through public platforms.