Retired Bombay High Court Chief Justice Ramesh Devkinandan Dhanuka recently fell victim to a cyber fraud, resulting in a loss of ₹50,000. This incident has highlighted the increasing vulnerability to cybercrimes, even among the most informed individuals.
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Justice Dhanuka received a deceptive message on his mobile phone from an unknown number on November 27. The message contained a link, falsely claiming that his PAN Card details needed to be updated with his nationalized bank to prevent account deactivation. Believing the message to be legitimate, Justice Dhanuka clicked on the link and entered his PAN Card details on the website provided.
Shortly after submitting his details, Justice Dhanuka received a call from a person claiming to be a representative of his bank. The caller enquired if Justice Dhanuka had authorized a transaction of ₹49,998. Upon his denial, the so-called bank representative informed him that the amount had been debited from his account, suggesting that he might have been a victim of cyber fraud.
Realizing the gravity of the situation, the retired Chief Justice promptly filed a complaint with the Colaba police station on December 18. The police registered an FIR for the offense, invoking Sections 419 and 420, which pertain to cheating under the Indian Penal Code, and Section 66D of the Information Technology Act, which deals with cheating by personation using a computer source.
This incident serves as a stark reminder of the sophisticated methods employed by cybercriminals and the importance of vigilance in digital transactions. It underscores the fact that cyber fraud can affect anyone, regardless of their position or knowledge, and highlights the need for increased awareness and preventive measures against such crimes. The case is now under investigation, and it brings to light the ongoing challenges in combating cyber fraud and ensuring digital security.
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