Pune: Digital transactions, while convenient, continue to pose risks as users fall prey to human errors and sophisticated fraud. In two separate incidents reported from Pune and Mumbai, one ended with timely recovery while the other resulted in a significant financial loss.
In an unusual mishap involving UPI payments, a Pune woman inadvertently transferred ₹50,000 instead of ₹50 to an auto-rickshaw driver using Google Pay. The overpayment occurred during a routine ride, but panic set in when the rickshaw driver turned off his phone after receiving the funds.
Unable to reach him, the distressed woman approached Bharati Vidyapeeth Police Station for assistance. Police promptly initiated a trace, located the rickshaw driver, and brought him in for questioning. Thanks to the swift police intervention, the full amount was recovered and returned to the woman.
The case serves as a reminder of how easy it is to make costly mistakes on digital payment platforms, especially when transactions are done in haste without confirming the amount.
Meanwhile, in South Mumbai, a health solutions company fell victim to a cyber scam involving a cleverly crafted phishing email. On April 24, the firm’s 31-year-old owner received a payment request from what appeared to be a known business contact. Unaware that the email address had one letter altered, the company transferred ₹11 lakh to the fraudster’s account.
The deception came to light only after the legitimate recipient confirmed that no payment had been received. A complaint was filed with the South Cyber Police, and investigations are now underway to track down the fraudster and recover the funds.
Both incidents shed light on the vulnerabilities of digital finance — from everyday UPI mistakes to high-value corporate fraud. Authorities advise users to double-check all payment details, verify email addresses carefully, and use app-level security features such as UPI PIN, biometrics, and payment alerts. Any suspicious transactions should be reported immediately to police or cybercrime helplines.
