Ludhiana postmaster loses Rs 87,000 in online loan scam: Here’s what happened

Online scams are becoming increasingly common, and anyone can fall victim if they’re not cautious. A recent case from Ludhiana highlights how scammers use clever tactics to cheat people. Sarabjit Singh, a postmaster from the Halwara post office, lost approx. Rs 87,000 while trying to secure a loan through a mobile application.

Sarabjit, a resident of Kaille village in the Sudhar area, had applied for a Rs 2 lakh loan on November 27 through the Flipkart mobile app. On December 4, he received a call from someone claiming to represent the app. The caller informed him that his loan was approved but could not be transferred because his KYC details were incomplete.

Also read: Businessman loses Rs 57 lakh after falling for part-time job scam: Here’s what happened

The scammer sent Sarabjit a link, instructing him to fill out an online form and pay Rs 5 as a KYC charge. Following these instructions, Sarabjit clicked the link, filled out the form, and attempted to pay the small fee. However, shockingly, Rs 86,998 was debited from his bank account instead.

“I immediately called the person who asked me to complete the KYC process. He picked up the call; however, as soon as I questioned him about it, the man disconnected the call and then switched off the number,” Sarabjit explained, as reported by TOI.

Realising he had been scammed, Sarabjit filed a complaint with the Jagraon police. The case was then transferred to the cybercrime police station.

Also read: Mangaluru man loses Rs 6.6 lakh after receiving fake Canara Bank KYC link on WhatsApp

How to protect yourself from such scams

• Verify the source: Always confirm the identity of the caller or sender. Contact the official customer service of the app or service directly.
• Avoid clicking on unknown links: Never click on links sent by unknown sources, especially if they ask for personal or financial information.
• Use trusted apps: Download apps only from official app stores, and avoid third-party applications.
• Monitor transactions: Regularly check your bank statements and immediately report unauthorised transactions.
• Stay informed: Educate yourself about common scams and share this knowledge with others to prevent them from falling victim.