Renu Viswanath had never been one to take unnecessary risks. A retired school headmistress from Delhi, she lived a disciplined life, relying on her savings for a comfortable retirement. But one phone call changed everything.
The Phone Call That Stole Her Life Savings
“Ma’am, this is an urgent call from your bank. Your account will be suspended unless you complete your KYC update immediately.”
Renu frowned. She had always been careful with her finances, ensuring that all bank requirements were met on time.
But the voice on the other end was calm, professional, and oddly reassuring. “It’s a simple process, Ma’am. We’ll guide you through it.”
With hesitation, she asked, “Are you sure this is from my bank? I haven’t received any official email.”
“Of course, Ma’am. You can check your SMS. We’ve sent you a verification link.”
A second later, her phone buzzed. A message popped up, seemingly from her bank’s official number. Seeing this, she felt reassured.
The Trap
The caller instructed her to download an app for a ‘video KYC verification.’ It looked legitimate. Once installed, they asked her to enter basic details – name, account number, and a few security questions.
Then came the request that should have made her hang up.
“We just need you to enter your debit card details for verification. It’s a routine step, Ma’am.”
She felt a slight hesitation. “I’ve never been asked for my debit card details before.”
“This is a new RBI guideline, Ma’am. Just for security purposes.”
The authority in his voice made her comply. The next hour passed in a blur.
What she didn’t realize was that the moment she entered those details, the scammers had full access to her bank account. Within minutes, she received messages of multiple transactions that drained her entire savings of ₹47 lakh.
The Realization
It wasn’t until later that evening, when she checked her balance, that reality hit her like a truck. The screen showed a near-zero balance.
Panic set in. She called the bank immediately. The customer service agent’s voice was grim. “Ma’am, these transactions were made using authorized credentials. It seems like your phone was remotely accessed.”
Her heart pounded. “But… I was speaking to a bank representative! He guided me through the process!”
“Ma’am, we do not conduct KYC verification over WhatsApp calls. I’m afraid you’ve been scammed.”
The Aftermath
The next few weeks were a blur of police complaints, bank visits, and endless frustration.
The cybercrime cell took up her case, but the money was long gone, transferred through multiple untraceable accounts.
She wasn’t alone. Thousands like her had fallen prey to similar scams. The fraudsters used psychological manipulation, urgency, and technical loopholes to trap unsuspecting victims.
Final Thoughts
Renu Viswanath had spent decades educating children about the importance of critical thinking, yet she fell victim to one of the most common scams today.
It can happen to anyone. The best we can do is stay informed, stay skeptical, and always double-check before making financial decisions.
The next time your phone rings with an urgent financial request, remember Renu’s story. It might just save you from losing everything.
