Judge Becomes Victim of Cybercrime
A judge in Mumbai fell victim to a cyber fraud scheme while attempting to repair his smartphone, losing ₹93,000 in the process. The incident occurred on March 30 when the judge reported a malfunction in his Galaxy S22 smartphone, which displayed a pink line on its screen.
After failing to reach Samsung’s customer service through the official helpline, the judge received a call from someone posing as a customer care representative. Unbeknownst to him, this was a fraudulent call.
How the Scam Unfolded
The caller provided guidance to the judge, instructing him to install an APK file to initiate his service request. After installing the file, he was asked to make a small transfer of ₹20 via Google Pay in two parts for verification purposes. Following this transaction, the judge was shocked to discover that ₹93,000 had been unlawfully withdrawn from his State Bank of India account.
Analysis of the Fraud
According to police reports, two unauthorized fund transfer requests of ₹90,000 and ₹3,000 were processed through UPI. Realizing he had been scammed, the judge promptly contacted the national cyber helpline and filed a First Information Report (FIR) at the Tardeo Police Station.
Investigative Measures and Findings
The FIR was registered under relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code and the Information Technology Act. Investigators discovered that the money had been redirected to a PhonePe account linked to an individual named Pappu Sachin Yadav. This incident is part of a troubling trend showing the vulnerability of even well-educated individuals to cyber fraud schemes.
Rising Cybercrime Trends in India
The financial losses resulting from cyber fraud in India have been escalating, with a significant increase in reported cases over recent years. In 2025 alone, India logged 28.15 lakh cybercrime cases, marking a staggering 24% increase from 2024. Victims have lost a total of ₹22,495 crore to cyber fraud in 2025, a slight decrease from ₹22,845 crore in 2024, according to official statistics.
Former cybersecurity officials have expressed concern over the increasing sophistication of cybercriminals. “Cybercrime can affect anyone and often targets those seeking legitimate services, as seen in this case,” one official remarked.
Previous Incidents Highlighting Vulnerability
This incident is reminiscent of another case where a Bombay High Court judge lost approximately ₹6 lakh while trying to redeem credit card reward points through a suspicious number he found online. Such high-profile cases indicate a systemic issue with public awareness regarding cybersecurity practices.
Awareness Campaigns and Safety Measures
Experts are urging the government to initiate comprehensive awareness campaigns highlighting potential cyber fraud tactics and preventative measures for the public. Cybersecurity agencies have started taking measures to educate the citizens about recognizing legitimate service numbers and verifying requests before making any financial transactions.
“Cyber safety is critical, especially in a digital age where scams are prevalent. Citizens need to be equipped with knowledge to protect themselves from these types of fraud,” emphasized a leading cybersecurity expert.
Conclusion: Making Informed Choices
The increase in cyber fraud cases speaks volumes about the need for vigilance and education regarding cyber safety. Public awareness is vital to prevent further victimization as cybercriminals become increasingly brazen.
As more people engage with digital services, the importance of verifying information and being cautious with financial transactions becomes paramount. Cybersecurity authorities continue to monitor these trends closely, but ultimately, the responsibility also lies with individuals to safeguard their own financial information.