Server Breach Detected After RBI Alert; Probe Underway by Cybercrime Unit and CERT-In
Shimla, May 17 – In a significant cybersecurity breach, fraudsters allegedly hacked into the Himachal Pradesh State Co-operative Bank server using a mobile application linked to a customer’s account and siphoned off ₹11.55 crore. The breach came to light only after a transaction report from the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) alerted the bank.According to officials, the cyber heist occurred between May 11 and 12. However, because the bank was closed on May 13, the suspicious transactions were only flagged on May 14. The bank immediately complained to the Shimla Sadar police station.
The breach is believed to have originated through a mobile app installed on a customer's device with an account at the Hatli branch in Chamba district. Through this point of entry, the fraudsters allegedly gained unauthorized access to the bank’s internal systems.
Funds Transferred to 20 Accounts
Authorities reported that the stolen funds were dispersed across 20 separate accounts. Following this discovery, the case was transferred to the police's Cyber Crime branch.Deputy Inspector General of Police (Cyber Crime) Mohit Chawla confirmed that a probe is underway. Additionally, a team from the Indian Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT-In) arrived in Shimla on Saturday to assist in the forensic investigation and trace the attack's origin.
Customer Funds Safe, Transactions Halted
In the wake of the breach, the bank has suspended all financial transactions as a precautionary measure. Bank officials have reassured the public that customer deposits remain secure."Experts are analysing the breach to determine exactly how the attackers infiltrated the system," Chawla added, emphasizing that digital security measures are being re-evaluated.
The incident underscores growing concerns over cybersecurity vulnerabilities in financial institutions and the critical need for robust protective measures against mobile-based exploits.