Pathanamthitta, Kerala: A timely intervention by the staff of Federal Bank’s Kidangannoor branch helped foil a major cyber fraud attempt to swindle ₹45 lakh from an elderly customer.

The incident unfolded when the account holder visited the bank requesting to prematurely close seven fixed deposits worth ₹45 lakh.

When staff inquired about the reason, he initially said it was for house construction but insisted on closing all deposits immediately. The amount was then transferred to his savings account.

Soon after, the man returned with a cheque for ₹45 lakh issued in the name of Amigo Marine Services Pvt. Ltd., based in Mumbai. Finding the transaction suspicious, bank employees called him for verification. When questioned further, the customer revealed that he had received instructions via WhatsApp from someone named Ravikumar, claiming the money was for purchasing property in Mumbai for his son.

However, the man could not provide any supporting documents or proof of the alleged deal. The staff noticed his nervousness and persuaded him to return the next day. When he came back with his wife, the real story emerged.

The fraudster had video-called him on WhatsApp and threatened that his son would be arrested in criminal cases unless he paid ₹45 lakh. The scammer had earlier obtained the man’s Aadhaar and personal details to open another account in his name.

The bank staff alerted the customer’s family and advised them to file a complaint with the cyber police. Realising the scam, the elderly man expressed his gratitude to the bank employees for saving his life savings.

Just a week ago, another cyber fraud attempt was detected at the same branch, when a young woman was lured by scammers claiming that a friend of her father had sent £45,000 from abroad, which was supposedly held up by customs at Delhi airport. Bank officials verified the claim and confirmed it was fraudulent.