Mangaluru: Rs 1.82 lakhs stolen from PhonePe account installed on lost phone

Mangaluru: In an unusual case of cyber theft, a city resident lost Rs 1.82 lakhs after money was transferred from the PhonePe account installed on his lost mobile phone.

As per the complainant, two mobile handsets were lost on December 3 while traveling on a scooter towards Kannur within the city. The complaint regarding this incident was lodged at the Kankanadi police station the next day.

Approximately two days after filing the complaint, the SIM card in one of the phones became active. Upon calling the number, an unknown person speaking in Hindi answered the call. He claimed to be in Kadaba with the phone near Padil in Mangaluru, mentioning intentions to return it upon arrival in the city.

However, despite the assurance, the phone was not returned. Consequently, the complainant got the SIM card blocked on December 12 and obtained a replacement SIM.

To the complainant’s dismay, Rs 1.82 lakhs were transferred to various accounts via the PhonePe app installed on the lost mobile phone.

Another case has been registered at the Kankanadi police station regarding this matter.