According to the complaint, cyber fraudsters withdrew ₹29,003 from the victim’s AU Bank credit card and ₹97,420 from her Axis Bank credit card by posing as representatives of a credit card company and persuading her to share a one-time password (OTP).
The victim, Neha Sharma, is an employee of Madhya Pradesh Gramin Bank and works at its Thatipur branch. A resident of the Sirol police station area, Sharma regularly counsels bank customers on safe banking practices, making the incident a stark reminder of the evolving tactics used by cyber criminals.
The fraud occurred at around 10:45 am on January 12, 2026, when Sharma received a call from an unknown number in Gwalior. The caller, a woman, claimed that Sharma’s credit card reward points were nearing expiry and offered to redeem them.
After agreeing to redeem the points, Sharma received an OTP on her mobile phone, which she shared with the caller. Within minutes, unauthorized transactions were carried out on both her credit cards. The fraud came to light shortly after when AU Bank contacted Sharma for transaction verification. Upon her denial, the bank immediately blocked the card.
Further verification revealed a second unauthorized transaction on her Axis Bank credit card, confirming that both cards had been compromised through the same method.
Following the incident, Sharma lodged a complaint on the national Cyber Helpline 1930. An e-zero FIR was registered and subsequently transferred to the Sirol police station for further investigation. Police officials said efforts are underway to identify the beneficiary accounts and track the digital trail left by the transactions.
Cyber experts note that scams involving reward points and fake customer care calls continue to be a common tactic, even trapping individuals well-versed in banking procedures. The case highlights the importance of never sharing OTPs, regardless of the caller’s claims or apparent legitimacy.
Police said they are coordinating with the concerned banks to obtain transaction details and IP logs. Authorities have once again urged the public to remain cautious and to report suspicious calls immediately to prevent further losses.
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