India Sees Massive Rise in Bill-Update and Phone-Theft Scams Targeting Millions

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Ranchi Police Exposes Twin Cyber Frauds: Fake Utility Calls and Stolen Mobile Devices Used to Steal ₹2 Lakh

In recent weeks, the city of Ranchi has witnessed a surge in cybercrime incidents, with two notable cases coming to light. Both cases involve residents who fell prey to cleverly crafted scams that resulted in significant financial losses.

The First Case: Fake Utility Call Scam

The first case involved a resident of Hinoo, who received a call from an unknown number claiming to be associated with the electricity department. The caller informed the victim that their electricity bill required urgent updating and that failure to comply could lead to disconnection. The victim was then sent a message containing an APK file, which they were instructed to install for “verification purposes.” As soon as the file was opened and installed, the fraudsters gained unauthorized access to the victim’s phone and banking details, resulting in two unauthorized transactions totaling ₹64,000.

According to Cyber police, the APK file acted as spyware, enabling remote access to sensitive financial data. This highlights the growing threat of APK-based attacks, where users are tricked into installing harmful applications that silently access personal data, SMS logs, and banking apps.

The Second Case: Stolen Mobile Device Scam

A resident of Ratu area had their mobile phone stolen, and the SIM card and stored personal data were subsequently misused by criminals. The stolen device was used to access the victim’s Bank of Baroda account, where multiple unauthorized UPI transactions were carried out, resulting in a total loss of ₹1.61 lakh.

Cyber experts believe that SIM-based verification and OTP interception may have played a role in the fraud.

Cyber Police Investigation

Cyber police are working to identify the mule accounts where the stolen funds were transferred and are coordinating with banks to freeze suspicious accounts and prevent further losses. Digital forensic analysis is underway, including examination of IP addresses, device logs, and transaction trails.

Citizens are advised to be cautious when receiving unsolicited messages or downloading applications, especially those related to utility services or government departments.
Polic have urged the public to immediately report suspicious calls, messages, or financial alerts to cyber helplines, emphasizing that awareness is the strongest defense against such evolving digital fraud techniques.

The investigation into both cases is ongoing, and authorities believe that more victims may be identified as the probe into the cyber network expands.