What appeared as a golden key to financial privilege was, in truth, a shadowed doorway leading straight into a web of deception.
WhatsApp Credit Card Upgrade Scam Drains Chandigarh Man of Rs 1.73 Lakh, Three Arrested
An enticing WhatsApp message promising a credit card upgrade turned into a costly ordeal for a Chandigarh resident, who was cheated of Rs 1.73 lakh by cyber fraudsters impersonating American Express Credit Card employees. The Chandigarh Cyber Crime police said on Friday that three women from Delhi had been arrested for their alleged involvement in the scam, which relied on digital manipulation and stolen customer data.
Detailing the scale of the operation, DSP (Cyber Crime) A Venkatesh said, “Incriminating material such as 28 mobile phones, 82 SIM cards, 55 ATM cards, two Aadhaar cards, two PAN cards, eight dongles, 27 landline phones, wireless transmitters, passbooks, cheque books, notebooks and other documents, were seized from the accused women’s possession. Several seized mobile phones contained extensive customer databases with names, addresses and mobile numbers.”
The accused were identified as Pratima Sharma, Roshni and Juhi Sethi, all residents of Delhi.
Police said an FIR was registered on December 26, 2025, at the Cyber Crime police station in Chandigarh. According to police, “The complainant, a resident of Sector 45, Chandigarh, received WhatsApp messages and phone calls from an unidentified woman, claiming to be an American Express employee, and offering the victim to convert his SBI credit card into an American Express card, with an enhanced credit limit. The fraudsters convinced the victim to open a malicious link sent to him. As soon as the victim opened the link, the fraudsters gained access to his mobile phone and siphoned off Rs 1,73,463 from his SBI credit card.”
From Digital Footprints to Doorstep Raid – Cyber Fraud Trail Ends in Delhi Arrests
Investigators used technical tools to trace the suspects. “During the investigation, technical analysis, including CAF and CDR scrutiny, IP address tracking and KYC verification disclosed that the accused were operating from Ashok Nagar and Uttam Nagar areas of Delhi,” the DSP said, adding: “Acting on the leads, police conducted a raid in Tilak Nagar, West Delhi, and arrested all three accused persons.”
Cyber Crime police station SHO Inspector Iram Rizvi said, “The accused used the extensive customer databases with names, addresses and mobile numbers to impersonate bank and credit card officials to target victims. The phones were also linked to multiple bank accounts used to route the defrauded money.”
She further stated, “During interrogation, the accused confessed to their role in the cyber fraud and disclosed the involvement of an associate. Further investigation is underway to identify more accomplices, verify bank accounts opened using forged documents and determine the total number of victims cheated by the gang.”
Police have urged citizens to remain vigilant, avoid suspicious links, and never share sensitive banking details, advising verification through official customer care channels.
In the vast digital marketplace, a single careless click can echo like a falling domino, toppling trust, savings, and peace of mind.
Summary
A Chandigarh resident lost Rs 1.73 lakh after cyber fraudsters posed as American Express officials and sent a malicious WhatsApp link. Police arrested three Delhi women and seized phones, SIM cards, and financial documents. Technical analysis traced their locations. Authorities warn the public against clicking suspicious links and sharing banking details without verification.
