Cybercrime cases often surface after the damage is done, when money has already moved through multiple accounts and recovery becomes nearly impossible. But a recent case handled by Bengaluru cybercrime
police shows how timing, coordination, and quick reporting can still turn the tide, even in high-value frauds.
In this case, police managed to recover the entire Rs 2.1 crore lost in a cyber fraud, underscoring the importance of what law enforcement and experts call the “golden hour” in cybercrime reporting.
How the Fraud Took Place
The incident involved a financial transaction between Dr Reddy’s Laboratories and Group Pharmaceuticals Ltd. On November 4, 2025, Dr Reddy’s transferred Rs 2.1 crore after receiving what appeared to be an official email requesting payment.
Investigators later found that fraudsters had intercepted communication between the two companies and sent a spoofed email resembling an official Group Pharmaceuticals ID. The fake message carried altered bank details, leading the accounts team to unknowingly transfer the funds to a fraudulent account.
The discrepancy was noticed soon after the transfer, prompting immediate internal checks.
A 15-Minute Decision That Changed Everything
What proved decisive was how fast the issue was reported. Within around 15 minutes of the transaction, the company contacted the national cybercrime helpline 1930 and alerted the cybercrime unit.
Bengaluru police quickly traced the funds to a bank account in Ahmedabad and acted to freeze it before the money could be split and routed through multiple accounts, a common laundering tactic in cyber fraud cases.
Since the account was frozen in time, police approached the court seeking permission to reverse the transaction. On January 5, 2026, the court ordered the release of the entire Rs 2.1 crore back to Dr Reddy’s account, resulting in a complete recovery.
Senior police officials described the case as a clear demonstration of how early reporting during the golden hour can prevent permanent financial loss.
Trail Points to International Network
Further investigation revealed that the spoofed email originated from an IP address traced to Nigeria, indicating cross-border involvement. The beneficiary bank account was opened using the identity documents of a 65-year-old woman.
Police are still probing whether her identity was misused without consent or whether the account was knowingly provided for fraudulent purposes. Investigations into the wider network are ongoing.
Why the Golden Hour Still Works
Speaking to News18, Dr Shubhamangala Sunil, cyber security expert from Bengaluru explained why speed remains critical in cyber fraud cases.
“Generally, the golden hour in cybercrime or cyber fraud is one to one and a half hours, maximum two. If you reach the cyber police sooner, and if the money hasn’t been transferred to another account by then, and if the cyber cell acts quickly and the bank responds immediately, then all the money can be recovered.There are too many ifs, but that’s how it is,” she said.
She pointed out that delays often occur when victims first approach local police stations and are then redirected to cyber cells. “That delay affects reaction speed. The golden hour exists, but the process has to move fast for it to work.”
Banks, AI Monitoring, and Why Time Buys Safety
Bengaluru police inspector Arjun CR told News18 that modern banking systems have added a crucial layer of protection.
“Nowadays, banks have their own AI surveillance systems. People cannot immediately transfer huge amounts into multiple accounts. They need time to split the money and move it,” he explained.
Because of this delay, he said, the first one to two hours are critical. “One hour is the best time, and a maximum of two hours can be considered the golden hour in cyber fraud cases. People should immediately call the 1930 helpline and lodge a complaint as soon as they know about the fraud. That allows us to stop the flow of money and freeze the account through the bank.”
Faster Relief for Smaller Amounts
Inspector Arjun also highlighted a recent relief measure for victims. He said that following a Karnataka High Court decision, amounts up to Rs 50,000 can now be returned directly on the order of the investigating officer in solved cases.
“The IO will submit a detailed report and money-flow chart to the court, but victims do not need to run pillar to post for recovery of amounts up to Rs 50,000 once the case is solved,” he said.
Police officials stressed that cyber fraud recovery depends less on the size of the fraud and more on how quickly it is reported. Once money moves across multiple accounts, recovery becomes extremely difficult.
The Bengaluru case stands as a reminder that while cybercrime methods are evolving, fast reporting, direct use of the cyber helpline, and coordinated action between police and banks can still stop fraud — if the clock has not already run out.
