Bhubaneswar: The Cyber Crime cell of Commissionerate Police have arrested three persons from Assam’s Morigaon and Nagaon districts for allegedly siphoning off rs 8.5 lakh from a retired bank employee’s bank account in Bhubaneswar through a fake UCO Bank pension update link.
The arrests were made on June 26 by following investigation into a case registered on November 5, 2025 by 64-year-old Bulu Dash of Trinath Bazar, Bhubaneswar.
According to the complaint, Dash received a fraudulent SMS on November 3, 2025, appearing to come from UCO Bank, asking him to update his life certificate for pension purposes. After clicking the link and entering his details, he received multiple OTPs. He later discovered that Rs 8,50,000 had been illegally transferred from his account through unauthorised online transactions.
Investigation, aided by technical analysis, banking records, and KYC verification, uncovered an organised interstate cyber fraud network. The syndicate allegedly procures mule bank accounts and SIM cards, primarily linking operators from Jamtara in Jharkhand with agents operating in Assam, according to SI Subhashree Nayak, the investigating officer.
“Retired employee are falling victim to such frauds as they are accustomed with digital banking. The fraudsters collected both his account details and the OTPs,” she said.
Those Arrested
Harun Rashid (29), resident of Gereki village in Nagaon district. A pharmacist by profession, he and an associate allegedly used digital banking platforms to open accounts and obtain SIM cards in fake names, which were then supplied to a key Jamtara-based handler.
Junaidur Islam (22) from Nagabandha village in Morigaon district. He reportedly acted as a mule account holder after being offered a Rs 6,000 commission for providing identity documents and activating a SIM card.
Ejajul Hoque (23), also from Garaimari village in Morigaon district. He is alleged to have worked as a recruiter and facilitator, connecting local mule account providers in the Morigaon area with higher-level operators in the network.
Two other key suspects — Parvez Alam Choudhary (another pharmacist) and Ashraful (identified as the Assam coordinator for the mule account network) — remain at large.
Mobile phones, SIM cards, bank documents, debit cards, and other digital evidence were seized from them.
How the Scam Worked
The modus operandi followed a typical pattern: Fraudsters sent fake links impersonating UCO Bank for life certificate or KYC updates. Once victims entered their credentials and OTPs, money was transferred out and routed through multiple mule accounts procured in Assam. These accounts were allegedly handed over to Jamtara-based operators, who withdrew and distributed the proceeds among syndicate members.
The SI added that similar complaints have been received against the accused from other states, including Rajasthan, Delhi, and Jajpur in Odisha, indicating the wider reach of the network.
Public Advisory
Cyber fraudsters are increasingly targeting pensioners and senior citizens with fake messages about life certificate updates, KYC verification, account reactivation, or reward claims via SMS, WhatsApp, and social media. Police have strongly advise the public never click on suspicious links or share OTPs, PINs, passwords, or banking details. “Always verify communications directly through your bank’s official website, app, or branch. In case of suspected fraud, immediately contact the National Cyber Helpline at 1930 or report online at www.cybercrime.gov.in to maximise the chances of recovering the money.”
