Phone lost? Secure your money first

Lucknow: Losing a smartphone is no longer just about replacing a device — it could mean losing access to bank accounts within minutes.

A recent cyber fraud bust by Lucknow Police, in which five accused were arrested, underscores how stolen phones are quickly exploited for financial theft if victims fail to act promptly.

Police said the gang targeted stolen phones with active banking apps, UPI accounts and payment wallets, using SIM access to reset passwords and authorise transactions. The accused — Satendra Singh alias Ajay (24), Deshraj (26), Praveen Kumar Srivastava (22), Ramsumiran (26) and Satyam (27) — were arrested and 15 mobile phones, seven SIM cards, two ATM cards and cash were recovered.

The case surfaced after a Lucknow resident lost his phone and, before securing his accounts, lost nearly Rs 1.9 lakh — Rs 1.36 lakh from an SBI account and Rs 54,000 from a Punjab National Bank account.

Cyber experts say the first hour after a phone is lost — the “golden hour” — is critical. “Criminals act fast. They use the SIM to receive OTPs, access banking apps and reset credentials,” said former IPS officer and cyber expert Triveni Singh.

Victims often waste crucial time trying to trace the phone instead of securing financial access. “Treat it as a bank breach, not a lost gadget,” a cybercrime officer said.