CBI Books Chandigarh Cyber Fraud Case Over ₹69,598 Mobile Hacking Scam

Chandigarh — The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) Anti-Corruption Branch (ACB), Chandigarh has registered a case against Ramesh Halder, Mantu and unknown others for allegedly committing digital fraud by hacking a mobile phone and carrying out unauthorised online transactions worth ₹69,598 from a Bank of India account.

According to the FIR (RC0052026A0004), complainant Sh. Pramod Kumar, resident of Quarter No. 2105, Sector 29-C, Chandigarh, alleged that his Savings Bank Account No. 604810310000770 was compromised.
On February 11, 2026, two unauthorized debit transactions were made — ₹49,999 transferred to Mantu and ₹19,599 transferred to Ramesh Halder — without his knowledge or consent. He did not receive any OTP on his registered mobile numbers (9810566026 and 9855407751) for these transactions.

The fraud originated from suspicious WhatsApp messages received on February 8 and 11, 2026, from mobile number 97179-81416 (saved as “Seema Home” belonging to a known person, Abhishek). The messages contained an invitation card along with an APK file.

The complainant later confirmed that Abhishek’s number had also been hacked and that Abhishek had already lodged a complaint with the Cyber Crime Cell, Delhi. The complainant stated that he neither shared any OTP, PIN, password nor banking credentials with anyone. It appears the hacker gained unauthorised access to his device through the malicious APK file, leading to the fraudulent transfers.

The allegations prima facie disclose commission of cognisable offences punishable under Sections 61(2) r/w 318(4), 319(2) & 336(3) of BNS 2023 and Sections 43 r/w 66, 66C & 66D of the IT Act 2000, involving criminal conspiracy, computer-related offences, cheating by personation and identity theft.

A regular case has been registered and the investigation has been entrusted to Sh. Chann Singh, Inspector, CBI, ACB, Chandigarh. The FIR was registered on the basis of a written complaint dated February 17, 2026, and was signed by Dr. Navdeep Singh Brar, IPS, Head of Branch, CBI, ACB, Chandigarh.