The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) teams, probing the sensational State Bank of Mysore hacking case that resulted in the loss of over Rs. 75 lakh, is camping in Mumbai following crucial leads into the case that stunned bank security experts.
Sources revealed that there were pivotal leads in the case and the special police teams are tracking the online fraudsters in Mumbai.
In 24 hours
“It was an expertly written set of computer programs that helped the fraudsters gain access to the bank’s system. They orchestrated the successful hack in 24 hours, stunning bank authorities and customers across Karnataka,” said an investigating officer, who is part of the team camping in Mumbai.
The nature of the fraud of numerous transactions of only Rs. 49 from the accounts of over 2,000 SBM customers within 24 hours, had baffled the bank authorities and the modus operandi of the case, which is termed as an ‘eye-opener’ for the banking security system, is being probed, police sources said.
Police investigators suspect that the ‘One Time Password’-generating server was compromised, thereafter allowing the scamsters to make numerous transactions, helping them pocket over Rs. 75 lakh. The money was transferred and channelled through e-wallet ‘MobiKwik’ and the fraudsters even purchased electronic items, made mobile phone recharges and even television set-top box subscription payments.
Breakthrough promised
However, investigators failed to divulge more details, but ascertained that there will be a breakthrough in the case.
A simultaneous probe by the SBM’s security wing in Mumbai is under way into the online fraud following the hack on April 3, confirmed a senior bank official in the Bengaluru branch.
Investigations by the State CID were initially zeroing in on the beneficiaries of the siphoned off sum and loopholes in the banking system. Investigations found the money being channelled to beneficiaries across the country through illegally created e-wallets, and subsequent purchases and payments made using the sum.
