An unfortunate incident of a PUBG game scam targeted a minor in Lucknow, leading to a loss of ₹2.45 lakh. However, prompt action from the victim’s mother and the Hazratganj police’s cyber crime cell led to the recovery of the stolen funds. This article aims to provide an in-depth explanation of the events that transpired, from the initial scam to the subsequent recovery of the funds.

Initial Breach and Extortion

The scam started with fraudsters gaining unauthorized access to the minor’s PUBG account. Once in control, they reached out to the victim, demanding a ransom to restore his gaming identity. Feeling cornered, the minor reluctantly agreed to comply with the extortionists. He provided his banking details, believing that doing so would resolve the issue and restore his gaming account.

Dangerous Sharing of Banking Information

Following the victim’s agreement, he shared sensitive banking information with the criminals. The criminals didn’t stop there; they instructed the victim to download a remote desktop application. Their intention was to use this application as a gateway to access and steal all available funds from the bank account. This move heightened the level of threat, transitioning the scam from merely gaming-related to a full-blown financial fraud.

Involvement of Cyber Crime Cell and Initial Steps

Upon becoming aware of the fraudulent activities, Sahala Siddhique, the minor’s mother, filed a formal complaint with the Hazratganj police’s cyber crime cell on September 2. She outlined in detail how the scammers had infiltrated her son’s PUBG account and demanded ransom money. Her immediate reaction played a pivotal role in attracting prompt and targeted intervention from the authorities.

Freezing of Hacker’s Account and Coordination with Bank and Company

Reacting to the urgent nature of the complaint, the cyber crime cell wasted no time. They froze the hacker’s bank account to prevent further transactions. Alongside this, they initiated communication with the victim’s bank and the gaming application company involved in the incident. The aim was to secure all potential points of financial leak and gather necessary information to trace back to the criminals.

Successful Recovery of Stolen Funds

The cyber crime cell’s diligent actions culminated in the successful recovery of the ₹2.45 lakh that had been stolen. An official press release confirmed that the funds were returned on the subsequent Tuesday after the complaint was lodged. This achievement not only alleviated the immediate financial loss but also demonstrated the efficiency of the police force in tackling online frauds.

Conclusion

The incident serves as a cautionary tale about the risks associated with sharing personal information online, especially in the context of gaming platforms that may seem harmless. The minor’s unfortunate experience also underlines the crucial role of prompt reporting and specialized police intervention in resolving such high-stake situations. Therefore, it is vital for the public to remain vigilant and act quickly, as Sahala Siddhique did, when encountering such scams.

By providing this detailed account, we aim to raise awareness about the increasing sophistication of online scams and the measures that can be taken to counter them. For more updates and safety tips, stay tuned to our platform.

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