Cyber Fraud Shatters Father’s Dream: ₹44 Lakh Stolen from Account Saved for Daughter’s Wedding

Uttar Pradesh Man Loses Entire Life Savings After Selling Land; Hackers Drain Account Through Phone-Based Net Banking Scam

In yet another shocking case of cybercrime, a man from Shahdara village in Uttar Pradesh lost his entire life savings of ₹44 lakh, money he had carefully saved for his daughter’s wedding. The victim had recently sold three bighas of land in Bulandshahr to fund the ceremony. However, in a meticulously executed cyber fraud, hackers hijacked his phone, gained access to his net banking account, and transferred the funds without his knowledge — all over the course of a few days.

The Shocking Discovery at the Bank

The fraud came to light only after several weeks. On August 22, the victim visited the Bank of India’s Bhangel branch to withdraw cash. To his surprise, the cashier informed him that his account balance was insufficient. The man, shocked, produced his passbook, which showed a balance of more than ₹44 lakh earlier that month.

When bank officials checked the transaction history, they found that between August 8 and August 14, multiple online money transfers had been made through net banking — all without the account holder’s authorization. That’s when the gravity of the situation became clear: his account had been silently emptied by cybercriminals.

How the Hackers Operated

According to the initial investigation, the man’s mobile phone was hacked on August 8. Once compromised, all the data on the device was wiped, and SMS services were deactivated, preventing him from receiving transaction alerts.

Six days later, the phone’s services were restored, but by then, the hackers had already transferred the entire amount. Police suspect the fraudsters diverted his SMS alerts to another number, ensuring the victim remained unaware of the ongoing transactions.

This type of scam indicates a new wave of cybercrime, where criminals exploit phone network vulnerabilities instead of relying solely on social engineering or phishing techniques.

A Father’s Pain and Broken Dream

The victim, who owns a small plastic goods shop, told police that the stolen money was meant for the wedding of his third daughter. Out of his five daughters, two are already married, and preparations were underway for the next ceremony. The theft has now completely derailed the family’s plans, leaving the father heartbroken and financially devastated.

“This was the money I saved after selling my land. I had planned to use it for my daughter’s wedding. I never imagined something like this could happen to me,” he reportedly told investigators.

Police Investigation Underway

A complaint has been filed on the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal (NCRP), and the Cyber Crime Police Station has registered a case against unidentified individuals.

Preliminary findings indicate that the stolen money was transferred into rented bank accounts — typically opened in the names of unemployed youth or daily wage workers who unknowingly allow criminals to use their credentials for illegal transactions.

Authorities are now tracing these accounts to identify the perpetrators and determine how the hackers gained access to the victim’s phone and net banking without directly acquiring his banking credentials.

A Growing Cyber Threat

Experts warn that such cases highlight a disturbing evolution in cyber fraud tactics. Unlike earlier scams, where victims would unknowingly share sensitive information, these new-age criminals exploit digital vulnerabilities and mobile network loopholes.

The incident also underscores the urgent need for stronger cybersecurity awareness, especially in rural and semi-urban areas where many people have recently adopted online banking but lack digital safety training.

What This Means for Everyday Users

The case serves as a grim reminder of how cybercriminals are becoming more sophisticated, often staying undetected for weeks or months. Cyber experts advise citizens to:

• Regularly monitor their bank accounts and SMS alerts,

• Avoid clicking on suspicious links or downloading unknown apps,

• Immediately contact the bank if they notice any disruption in mobile services or suspicious activity.

As India continues to digitize its financial ecosystem, such incidents highlight the pressing need for robust awareness campaigns, secure authentication systems, and stronger inter-agency coordination to protect citizens from financial ruin.

For this father from Shahdara, however, the loss is more than just financial — it’s the collapse of a lifelong dream to see his daughter’s wedding celebrated with joy and dignity.