Chandigarh man loses nearly Rs 70,000 via malicious WhatsApp APK file, CBI registers FIR

According to the FIR, the complainant, Pramod Kumar, a resident of Sector 29-C, Chandigarh, alleged that two unauthorised online transactions.

3 min readChandigarhFeb 26, 2026 09:03 PM IST

Rs 69,598 was fraudulently taken from a city resident’s bank account after his mobile phone was reportedly hacked through a malicious file sent on WhatsApp. (File Photo)

The Central Bureau of Investigation’s (CBI’s) Anti-Corruption Branch, Chandigarh, has registered an FIR in connection with an alleged digital fraud in which Rs 69,598 was fraudulently taken from a city resident’s bank account after his mobile phone was reportedly hacked through a malicious file sent on WhatsApp.

According to the FIR, the complainant, Pramod Kumar, a resident of Sector 29-C, Chandigarh, alleged that two unauthorised online transactions amounting to Rs 49,999 and Rs 19,599 were carried out from his Bank of India savings account on February 11, without his consent. The complaint was initially received by the agency on February 17.

APK file from a ‘hacked’ saved contact caused the fraud

In his written complaint, Kumar stated that on February 8 he received a WhatsApp message mentioning an invitation card along with an APK file from a number saved in his phone as a known contact. He did not open the file at that time. However, on February 11, he received a similar message again from the same number. Though he viewed the message, he ignored it after the file did not open. Later, when he contacted the sender, he was informed that the sender’s phone had itself been hacked and that a complaint had already been lodged with the Cyber Crime Cell, Delhi, and reported on helpline 1930.

The complainant further stated that on the same day two debit transactions totalling Rs 69,598 were made from his account by an unknown person. He claimed he neither authorized the payments nor received any OTP or transaction alert for the debit of Rs 49,999. He did receive an alert for Rs 19,599 at 10.53 pm, but noticed it only later.

On February 13, Kumar discovered that Rs 19,599 had been transferred to one Ramesh Halder and Rs 49,999 to another individual identified as Mantu, both unknown to him. The following day, he realised his phone had been hacked after similar suspicious messages were circulated to his contacts.

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The FIR states that prima facie offences of criminal conspiracy, cheating, impersonation, identity theft and computer-related crimes are made out under Sections 61(2), 318(4), 319(2) and 336(3) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, along with Sections 43 read with 66, 66 C and 66 D of the Information Technology Act, 2000.

The case has been entrusted to an inspector-level officer of CBI ACB Branch, Chandigarh, for investigation.

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According to the CBI, efforts are underway to trace the accused, identified as Ramesh Halder, Mantu and other unknown persons, and to track the money trail.

Jagpreet Singh Sandhu

Jagpreet Singh Sandhu is a Senior Correspondent at The Indian Express, based in Chandigarh. He is a veteran reporter with over a decade of experience, specializing in legal, crime, and environmental reporting across the tri-city area (Chandigarh, Mohali, and Panchkula). Professional Background Core Beat: He primarily covers the Punjab and Haryana High Court, District Courts, CBI Courts, and Consumer Commissions. His legal reporting is known for breaking down complex judgments and tracking long-standing criminal cases. Environmental Reporting: Jagpreet has become a key voice in reporting on the deteriorating air quality and weather patterns in the Punjab-Haryana region. Crime & Technology: He frequently reports on cybercrime, digital arrest scams, and the intersection of technology and law enforcement, such as the development of citizen-centric policing apps. Recent Notable Articles (Late 2025) His late 2025 coverage has focused on significant judicial verdicts, major financial scams, and public health concerns: 1. Legal & CBI Court Verdicts "12 years on, CBI court acquits Haryana judge, parents in wife’s death case" (Dec 17, 2025): Detailed coverage of the acquittal of a judicial officer in a high-profile dowry death case from 2013. "‘Wicked & evil mind’: Court gives man 30-year term for kidnapping, sexually assaulting 8-year-old" (Dec 16, 2025): A report on a stern judgment from a Chandigarh district court in a POCSO case. "Man acquitted in rape case after victim found ‘very happy’ in wedding reception" (Dec 9, 2025): Covering a unique legal observation regarding consensual relationships and age verification. 2. Investigative & Scams "CBI registers FIR in Rs 1.14-cr Patient Welfare Grant scam at PGIMER" (Dec 19, 2025): An exposé on how funds meant for poor patients were siphoned off through forged documents and a photocopy shop inside the PGIMER campus. "Month-long torture, Rs 85 lakh transfers: How ‘Innocence Certificate’ led to a ‘digital arrest’ of an elderly couple" (Dec 12, 2025): Detailing a sophisticated cyber fraud targeting senior citizens in Chandigarh. 3. Environment & Public Safety "Panchkula air turns ‘very poor’, fourth worst in country" (Dec 22, 2025): Reporting on the sudden spike in pollution levels in Panchkula compared to neighbouring cities. "Soon, you can snap that overspeeding car, and report to Chandigarh Police" (Dec 16, 2025): Breaking news on a new mobile application being developed to allow citizens to report traffic violations via geo-tagged photos. 4. Gangster Culture & Crime "City Beautiful in the crosshairs of gangsters" (Dec 14, 2025): A feature analysis of how Chandigarh has increasingly become a staging ground for extortion and rivalries between gangster modules. "Shooters wanted for Parry murder held by Delhi Police Special Cell" (Dec 18, 2025): Following the developments in a high-profile murder case in Chandigarh’s Sector 26. Signature Style Jagpreet is recognized for his tenacious follow-up on cold cases and his ability to report on courtroom drama with a focus on victim rights. His work often highlights administrative lapses, whether in the handling of patient welfare funds or the enforcement of environmental standards. ... Read More

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