What happened
A ₹60,000 phone was reportedly stolen in a Delhi metro station, with ₹57,000 allegedly lost from the owner’s bank account within 45 minutes via a SIM-based method.
Why it matters
Readers whose SIM is stolen or swapped face UPI loss risk even with strong device locks.
Remember this
A stolen SIM can threaten UPI access even when the phone itself is well locked.
The alleged method
The post alleges the SIM was moved into a feature phone and dialled *99# to reach NPCI’s USSD banking service, enabling an OTP-based UPI PIN reset attempt.
More context & who is affected
A phone worth ₹60,000 was reportedly stolen in a crowded Delhi metro station. According to the viral post, ₹57,000 disappeared from the owner’s bank account within 45 minutes, despite the device having Face ID and a strong PIN lock.
The reported method involved moving the SIM card from the stolen iPhone into a feature phone and dialing *99# to reach NPCI’s USSD banking service. The post claims the card was used to receive an OTP and attempt a UPI PIN reset before funds moved. NPCI guidance says a UPI PIN reset also requires debit card details and OTP checks.
India’s Central Equipment Identity Register (CEIR) has blocked 28,44,959 mobile phones and traced 16,99,023 after theft complaints, underscoring how often stolen devices are reused for fraud. iPhones link SIMs to Apple IDs, which complicates such reuse on iOS. The Economic Times noted the incident and the alleged method are not independently verified.
- Reported phone value
- ₹60,000 The stolen phone was reportedly worth ₹60,000.The Economic Times
- Amount allegedly lost
- ₹57,000 ₹57,000 allegedly disappeared from the owner’s bank account within 45 minutes.The Economic Times
Mobile Banking Users
A stolen or swapped SIM can threaten UPI access even when the phone has strong device locks.
General Public
Stolen devices are routinely reused for fraud, so prompt CEIR blocking and SIM suspension matter.
Reporting fromThe Economic Times ↗The Indian Express ↗
Sources & verification2 sources · 4 claims
These are the records behind this briefing. Linked reporting is not the same as independent confirmation.
- The Economic TimesReportingPublished Oct 20, 2026 · Accessed Oct 22, 2026
- The Indian ExpressReporting
Smartphone lost or stolen? Top cop shares key things to do before it's too late ↗
Published Feb 1, 2025 · Accessed Oct 22, 2026
Claims and linked sources
A ₹60,000 phone was reportedly stolen in a Delhi metro station.
₹57,000 allegedly disappeared from the owner’s bank account within 45 minutes of the theft.
The post alleges the SIM was used to access *99# USSD banking and attempt a UPI PIN reset.
CEIR has blocked 28,44,959 mobile phones and traced 16,99,023 after theft complaints.