An Instagram advertisement allegedly led to a cyber fraud in Madhya Pradesh’s Gwalior, where a family lost nearly Rs 98,000 from their bank account after clicking on the ad. The mobile phone became unresponsive immediately after the click, while the money was later withdrawn through three UPI transactions.

The incident was reported from Rudra Pura under the Purani Chhawani police station area. The family realised something was wrong only after receiving a bank alert around midnight and discovering that their account balance had fallen to minus Rs 2,970.

Phone Freezes After Instagram Advertisement

According to a complaint filed by Jay Pratap Singh Batham, his wife Rachna was using Instagram on August 11 when an advertisement appeared on the mobile phone.

She clicked on the advertisement, but the phone immediately became unresponsive. The device reportedly froze to the extent that none of its functions worked, and the family was unable to switch it off.

They subsequently took the phone to a shop near Purani Chhawani crossroads. The shopkeeper managed to shut down and restart the device, but the family did not initially realise that their bank account could have been compromised.

Family Discovers Money Missing From Account

Around midnight, Jay Pratap received a message from his bank regarding an instalment. When he checked his account, he found that the balance had fallen to minus Rs 2,970.

The account had previously contained nearly Rs 1 lakh, leaving the family alarmed by the sudden disappearance of the funds. Jay Pratap asked his wife whether she had transferred money to anyone, but she denied making any transaction.

Suspecting that the family had fallen victim to cyber fraud, Jay Pratap immediately contacted the cybercrime helpline 1930 and reported the incident.

Rs 98,000 Withdrawn Through Three UPI Transactions

The extent of the financial loss became clear when the family visited the bank the following day. The account statement showed that Rs 98,000 had been withdrawn through three separate UPI transactions.

The victim subsequently informed the bank about the suspected fraud and approached Purani Chhawani police on August 16.

Police registered a case and transferred the investigation to the cyber cell, which is now examining the circumstances surrounding the transactions.

Cyber Cell Investigates Instagram Ad Link

Investigators are attempting to determine what happened after the Instagram advertisement was clicked and how the alleged fraudsters gained access to the bank account.

The sequence of events, including the phone becoming unresponsive immediately after the advertisement was opened and the subsequent UPI transactions, is being examined as part of the investigation.

The incident has left the family facing a financial loss of Rs 98,000 after what initially appeared to be a routine social media interaction turned into a suspected cyber fraud.

Long or Short, get news the way you like. No ads. No redirections. Download Newspin and Stay Alert, The CSR Journal Mobile app, for fast, crisp, clean updates!

App Store –  https://apps.apple.com/in/app/newspin/id6746449540 

Google Play Store – https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.inventifweb.newspin&pcampaignid=web_share