The cyber crime police traced the fraudulent transaction to Kolkata and are on the job to nab them.

Hyderabad: A city-based businessman became a victim of cyber fraud when the crooks siphoned off about Rs 25 lakh from his bank account by swapping his SIM card. The cyber crime police traced the fraudulent transaction to Kolkata and are on the job to nab them.

A few days ago, a contractor living in Rachakonda police commissionerate limits approached his mobile operator when his SIM card suddenly became dysfunctional for a day. To his shock, he learnt that a new SIM card had been issued to someone who had provided identification proof belonging to him. The alternative number given to the company was also changed.

The businessman then contacted the bank with which he has an account to warn it not to initiate any transactions from his account, but it was too late.

About Rs 25 lakh had been transferred from his account to a stranger’s account. The man then lodged a complaint with the Rachakonda cyber crime police who registered a case and started investigating.

Cyber crimes ACP S. Harinath said that the identification cards of the businessman were misused by the person who siphoned off the money. “The crooks called the mobile operator requesting activation of a new SIM card with the businessman’s number as the old one was damaged, and also raised a request for changing the alternative number,” he explained.

“As the fraudsters were in possession of the identification card details of the victim, including Aadhaar card, they submitted the same and got a new SIM card activated. Using these credentials, they gained access to the internet banking facility and transferred the money. The amount was withdrawn in Kolkata,” the ACP said.

How a person managed to get a new SIM card without the physical presence of the user of the mobile number is still unclear, and police officials say that the modus operandi would be unearthed after nabbing the accused.

A team of cyber crime police are working on the clues to identify and nab the accused persons, Mr Harinath added.