Nagpur trader's family loses Rs 5.88 lakh to fake e-challan APK scam

Nagpur: A single message, an APK file and lakhs of rupees gone from bank accounts. Cyber fraudsters lured a trader with a fake traffic e-challan and cheated his family of Rs 5.88 lakh. The victims are the trader's son and two nephews.

Subhash Jham, 78, a resident of Vardhman Nagar, has a son who runs a clothes shop, while his two nephews are also in the clothing and textile business. Jham's mobile number was registered with these bank accounts.

On October 11, a message arrived on Jham's phone saying a traffic challan had been issued against his vehicle. An APK file named "M Parivahan" was sent along with it. Hoping to get details of the challan, the trader opened the file, but no useful information appeared on the screen. The fraudsters used the APK file to carry out the fraud.

On October 22, the trader learnt that a total of Rs 5.88 lakh had been withdrawn through separate transactions from the bank accounts of his son and both nephews. The complaint of money being debited from three bank accounts of one family has made the case serious. Police are now looking for answers to how the fraudsters gained access to the accounts, where the money was transferred and whether others were involved in the crime.

Incidents of fraud through APK files sent in the name of fake e-challans have come to light several times before. Lakadganj police have registered a case against an unknown accused on the basis of the complaint and begun an investigation.