An 82-year-old man was allegedly cheated out of ₹3.49 lakh after cyber fraudsters posing as Election Commission of India (ECI) officials convinced him that verification of his Special Intensive Revision (SIR) form was pending.
According to the police complaint, the callers asked him to pay a nominal processing fee of ₹5 and directed him to download a fake mobile application to complete the verification. When the payment allegedly failed, the fraudsters sent a QR code via WhatsApp and persuaded him to scan it, leading to multiple unauthorised withdrawals from his bank account.
Police have registered a case and launched an investigation into the digital trail, including the WhatsApp communication, QR code and the malicious application used in the fraud. While investigators are working to identify those behind the scam, the incident has renewed concerns over cybercriminals exploiting ongoing government exercises to appear credible.
The Election Commission has previously warned citizens against downloading unofficial APK files or responding to verification requests received through WhatsApp, reiterating that voter verification is not conducted through such methods.
Cybersecurity experts have also urged people, particularly senior citizens, to remain cautious of callers impersonating government officials and to verify any communication through official channels before sharing personal or financial information.
How the Fraud Unfolded
According to the complaint, the elderly victim received a phone call from a person claiming to be an official of the Election Commission. The caller allegedly informed him that his verification under the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls remained incomplete and that immediate action was required to avoid complications.
To make the request appear routine, the fraudster reportedly asked the victim to pay a processing fee of just ₹5 and instructed him to download a mobile application to complete the verification. When the payment through the application supposedly failed, the caller sent a QR code via WhatsApp and asked the victim to scan it instead.
Investigators believe that, through the fake application or the permissions granted during the process, the fraudsters gained access to the victim’s banking information and authorised multiple transactions, resulting in a loss of ₹3.49 lakh. The victim reportedly realised he had been deceived only after checking his bank account, following which he approached the police.
Officials are now examining the transaction records, the application involved and the communication exchanged on WhatsApp to trace the accused. Cybercrime investigators note that scams of this nature often rely less on sophisticated hacking and more on psychological manipulation, commonly known as social engineering, where fraudsters exploit trust, urgency and familiarity with public programmes to deceive victims.
Warnings Amid Rising Cyber Frauds
The case comes amid repeated advisories from the Election Commission and cybersecurity agencies warning citizens against fake verification messages circulating in the name of the Special Intensive Revision exercise. Election Commission officials have clarified that the Commission does not ask voters to download APK files sent through WhatsApp or make payments through QR codes for voter verification.
Similar warnings have been issued after fake applications carrying the Commission’s name and logo surfaced during the ongoing revision of electoral rolls.
The Press Information Bureau has also cautioned the public against fraudsters impersonating government officials during verification drives, pension updates and KYC exercises, reminding citizens that legitimate government departments do not ask for banking credentials, OTPs, UPI PINs or remote access to mobile devices over phone calls.
Cyber experts say fraudsters increasingly take advantage of ongoing public campaigns because people are already familiar with them, making fake requests appear more convincing.
They advise citizens to verify any communication through official government websites, avoid installing applications received via messaging platforms, refuse unsolicited requests to scan QR codes, and immediately report suspicious activity through the National Cyber Crime Helpline (1930) or the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal.
Authorities believe prompt reporting can significantly improve the chances of freezing fraudulent transactions before the money is withdrawn.
The Logical Indian’s Perspective
This incident is a sobering reminder that cybercrime is no longer limited to complex hacking operations it increasingly thrives on trust, confusion and the misuse of public institutions’ credibility. As government agencies continue to digitise services and verification processes, public awareness must grow alongside technological convenience.
Elderly citizens, who are often targeted because they are more likely to trust official-sounding calls, deserve stronger safeguards, regular digital literacy campaigns and easier access to verified information. At the same time, institutions must continue issuing timely public advisories and ensure that official communication channels are clearly distinguishable from fraudulent ones.
Also read: OMR Serial Number Confusion Triggers Protest at Karnataka Police Recruitment Exam
