Hyderabad: The timely intervention of SBI AC Guards branch staff not only saved a 61-year-old paediatrician from digital arrest for four days, but also prevented him from breaking his fixed deposits at the behest of cyber fraudsters.
Branch manager A Kamalakar Goud told TOI that the paediatrician had an account with the branch for over three decades and visited the bank frequently, making him a familiar face to the bank staff.
Four days ago, he visited the bank and asked to break the FDs, saying he needed to transfer funds.
Surya Swathi Dwadasi, an associate at the bank who started processing his request, noticed that he was extremely anxious, constantly checking his WhatsApp, making video calls and showing someone that he was in the bank. Sensing foul play, she took up the matter with Kamalakar, who tried to dissuade the man from processing his FDs, but he would not budge. Citing technical problems at the bank, the staff managed to send him home.
However, he returned to the bank on Thursday, insisting that his application be processed. After much persuasion, he told the bankers that he was buying a flat and wanted to transfer money to the builder.
“We asked him if he had seen the flat and met the builder, but when he said he had not, we told him it was a scam and that we would help him. But he was extremely scared and was constantly on WhatsApp and video calls,” Kamalakar added.
After being sent home on Thursday, he turned up on Friday in a more worried and broken state. “After talking to him, we managed to access his mobile phone and realised that he was trapped. We continued to explain the scam to him and immediately connected him to the cybercrime helpline 1930. They also spoke to him at length and explained real incidents. It was only after this that he was convinced and disconnected the call,” said Kamalakar.
SBI stated that the Hyderabad circle has undertaken various activities to educate customers on cyber security awareness, stressing the importance of staying vigilant against growing cyber threats and protecting themselves from cyber fraud, safeguarding their online banking credentials and reporting any suspicious activity.
Branch manager A Kamalakar Goud told TOI that the paediatrician had an account with the branch for over three decades and visited the bank frequently, making him a familiar face to the bank staff.
Four days ago, he visited the bank and asked to break the FDs, saying he needed to transfer funds.
Surya Swathi Dwadasi, an associate at the bank who started processing his request, noticed that he was extremely anxious, constantly checking his WhatsApp, making video calls and showing someone that he was in the bank. Sensing foul play, she took up the matter with Kamalakar, who tried to dissuade the man from processing his FDs, but he would not budge. Citing technical problems at the bank, the staff managed to send him home.
However, he returned to the bank on Thursday, insisting that his application be processed. After much persuasion, he told the bankers that he was buying a flat and wanted to transfer money to the builder.
“We asked him if he had seen the flat and met the builder, but when he said he had not, we told him it was a scam and that we would help him. But he was extremely scared and was constantly on WhatsApp and video calls,” Kamalakar added.
After being sent home on Thursday, he turned up on Friday in a more worried and broken state. “After talking to him, we managed to access his mobile phone and realised that he was trapped. We continued to explain the scam to him and immediately connected him to the cybercrime helpline 1930. They also spoke to him at length and explained real incidents. It was only after this that he was convinced and disconnected the call,” said Kamalakar.
SBI stated that the Hyderabad circle has undertaken various activities to educate customers on cyber security awareness, stressing the importance of staying vigilant against growing cyber threats and protecting themselves from cyber fraud, safeguarding their online banking credentials and reporting any suspicious activity.
