Cyber criminals are constantly coming up with new ways to steal money, and a shocking case from Jharkhand has revealed how fraudsters can now drain bank accounts without even using a card or OTP. In Garhwa district, an elderly woman lost Rs 10,000 after being tricked under the pretext of receiving benefits from the PM Kisan Yojana.

According to reports, the fraudsters approached her claiming they would help her access the government scheme. During this, they carried out an iris scan in the name of verification. Since most bank accounts today are linked to Aadhaar, criminals were able to use the biometric details to directly access her account and withdraw money. The woman only realized the fraud when she later visited the bank and found the balance missing.

The case has raised concerns as it shows how linking Aadhaar with bank accounts, though convenient, has opened new avenues for cyber fraud. Instead of using OTPs or cards, fraudsters are exploiting biometric authentication like fingerprints and iris scans to carry out such thefts.

Experts advise citizens to be extra cautious with their Aadhaar details. One should avoid sharing personal documents unnecessarily and, wherever possible, use a virtual Aadhaar ID that can be generated from the UIDAI website. Additionally, UIDAI provides the option to lock biometrics, preventing unauthorized use of fingerprints or iris data. However, individuals must unlock it manually when needed and remember to lock it again afterward for safety.