Pune WhatsApp fraud cases involving fake bank officials, a bogus hospital contact and a pension registration link have cost three residents a reported Rs 6.34 lakh, according to complaints registered with police in Bibwewadi, Kothrud and Baner. The cases involved suspicious links, screen-sharing requests and the installation of Android application package (APK) files.
In the first case, a 57-year-old woman from Bibwewadi lost Rs 93,512 after an unidentified person contacted her on WhatsApp while claiming to be a State Bank of India manager. According to her complaint, the caller asked her to share her mobile phone screen and then sent an APK file, instructing her to download and install it. After she followed the instructions, money was withdrawn from her bank account.
The incident took place on 10 September and was reported at Bibwewadi police station on 18 October. Police have registered a case against an unidentified accused under Sections 318(4) and 319(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and Section 66(D) of the Information Technology Act. Senior Police Inspector Ashwini Satpute said the investigation was under way and urged citizens to exercise caution before opening suspicious links.
In a separate case, a 64-year-old woman from Kothrud lost Rs 59,400 after searching online for a contact number to book an appointment at Ruby Hall Hospital. According to her complaint, she found a number presented as being connected to the hospital and was sent a link. She was asked to pay Rs 5 for account verification and to proceed with the appointment process.
Police suspect that the link led to an APK file. After the woman opened it, Rs 59,400 was deducted from her bank account through an online transaction. Kothrud police registered a case on 18 October against an unidentified person and suspected bank account holders under Sections 318(4) and 319(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and Section 66(D) of the Information Technology Act.
Kothrud Senior Police Inspector Arun Ghodke said the complainant was a senior citizen who had searched Google for the hospital’s contact number. He said investigators were trying to identify the person who sent the link and trace the bank accounts through which the money was transferred.
The third case involved a 70-year-old resident of Pashan who reportedly lost Rs 4.81 lakh after receiving a WhatsApp message promising pension card registration. According to Baner police, the message was received between 8 and 9 September and directed the resident to enter bank account information through a link. The complainant later found that Rs 4.81 lakh had been withdrawn without his authorisation.
Baner police have registered a case and begun an investigation with assistance from the cybercrime branch. Senior Police Inspector Chandrashekhar Sawant said the investigation was in progress and advised residents to verify official websites before sharing financial information or responding to registration offers.
The cases show how fraudsters are using the names of banks, hospitals and public-facing services to make digital requests appear credible. Police have advised residents to verify contact numbers through official websites, avoid unknown APK files and not share bank details, passwords or one-time passwords with callers or messaging contacts.
Anyone who becomes a victim of online financial fraud can contact the national cybercrime helpline at 1930 and file a complaint at cybercrime.gov.in. Police have said that prompt reporting can assist agencies in tracing or freezing transferred funds. Investigations into all three Pune cases are continuing.
