Prayagraj Bank Fraud: Man Duped of Lakhs by Imposter Bank Manager

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Cyber Fraud Case in Prayagraj

A recent case of cyber fraud has come to light in Prayagraj, where a man was duped out of ₹3.92 lakh by scammers posing as a bank manager. The incident highlights the growing threat of cybercrime and the need for individuals to remain vigilant when interacting with financial institutions online.

Scammers Pose as Bank Manager

According to reports, the victim, Tapas Kumar Saha, received a suspicious link on his mobile phone on January 5, 2026, from an individual claiming to be a manager at Punjab National Bank (PNB). The scammer informed Saha that an urgent account verification was required to prevent his account from being temporarily blocked.

The caller used professional banking terminology to sound credible and expressed concern over account security, claiming that the Know Your Customer (KYC) and security update process needed to be completed immediately.

Victim Loses ₹3.92 Lakh

Saha, trusting the caller’s identity, clicked on the link and provided sensitive banking information, including his account details, debit card information, and the One-Time Password (OTP) sent to his mobile phone. Shortly after sharing the OTP, Saha began receiving SMS alerts about debits from his account, and a total of ₹3,92,000 was transferred out of his PNB account.

Investigation Underway

The police have launched an investigation into the incident and are examining the mobile number used to contact the victim, as well as the bank accounts where the money was transferred. Call Detail Records (CDR), IP addresses, and transaction histories are being analyzed to trace the accused.

Precautions Against Cybercrime

The incident serves as a reminder of the importance of being cautious when interacting with financial institutions online. Banks never ask customers to share OTPs, PINs, passwords, or complete card details over phone calls or through links. Individuals are advised to immediately disconnect any suspicious calls claiming to be from bank officials and verify directly through official customer care numbers or by visiting their bank branch.

Experts warn that sharing OTPs is one of the most common ways cybercriminals gain unauthorized access to bank accounts. Once the OTP is disclosed, funds can be transferred within minutes, leaving victims with little time to react.

Need for Awareness and Education

The incident highlights the need for increased awareness and education about cybercrime and online safety. Individuals must remain vigilant and take steps to protect themselves from such scams, including being cautious when clicking on links and providing sensitive information online.