Bollywood actress and producer Kirti Kulhari—known for her standout performances in Pink, Uri: The Surgical Strike, and Four More Shots Please!—has become the latest high-profile victim of digital financial fraud.
Unidentified cybercriminals siphoned off ₹2,43,852 ($2,525 USD) from her credit card in a series of unauthorized foreign transactions. The incident has prompted Mumbai’s Amboli Police and the Cyber Crime Cell to launch an investigation.
How the Cyber Fraud Unfolded
According to police sources and the First Information Report (FIR), the incident occurred on the evening of July 24 while the actress was at a cinema multiplex in Andheri West, Mumbai.
- The Initial Alert: While attending a movie screening, Kirti received an automated transaction alert on her mobile phone from her bank.
- Foreign Charges: The text notification showed a foreign currency charge of $2,525 USD routed through Aeromexico Airlines.
- Multiple Transactions: Upon immediately reaching out to her bank’s toll-free helpline, officials confirmed that four separate unauthorized international transactions had been processed using her credit card within minutes.
- Immediate Block: The bank acted swiftly to block her credit card to prevent further unauthorized charges.
No Password or OTP Shared: Suspected Malware Intrusion
What makes this cyber incident particularly concerning is that Kirti Kulhari confirmed she did not share her credit card credentials, PIN, or One-Time Passwords (OTPs) with anyone.
“My credit card details and passwords were kept strictly confidential and were never disclosed to any third party.” — Statement referenced in police FIR.
Investigators suspect that cybercriminals may have compromised her mobile device or card details via:
- Digital Malware / Spyware: malicious software installed silently on mobile devices via unverified app downloads or compromised public Wi-Fi networks.
- Card Skimming or Data Leaks: Digital credentials scraped from previously compromised e-commerce databases or malicious links.
The Amboli Police Station in Mumbai has registered a case against unknown perpetrators under relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and the Information Technology (IT) Act. Cyber Cell specialists are actively tracking digital footprints, IP addresses, and transaction reference numbers to identify the perpetrators.
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Key Details at a Glance
| Aspect | Details |
| Victim | Kirti Kulhari (Actress & Producer) |
| Total Amount Defrauded | ₹2,43,852 ($2,525 USD) |
| Type of Scam | Unauthorized foreign credit card transactions / Suspected Spyware |
| Location of Incident | Andheri West, Mumbai |
| Investigating Agency | Amboli Police Station & Mumbai Cyber Cell |
Essential Steps to Protect Yourself from Cyber Credit Card Scams
This high-profile case serves as a stark reminder that digital scams can target anyone—even without explicit password sharing. Protect your financial accounts by following these cybersecurity best practices:
Disable International Transactions: If you aren’t traveling abroad, turn off international online transactions via your banking app. Most Indian bank apps allow real-time toggle switches for foreign usage.
Set Transaction Limits: Lower daily transaction caps for online and contactless purchases to minimize potential damage if your card details are compromised.
Avoid Public Wi-Fi for Financial Transactions: Refrain from logging into banking apps or making online payments while connected to public or unencrypted Wi-Fi networks.
Enable Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA): Ensure every account linked to your financial ecosystem requires two-step verification.
Act Immediately: If you spot suspicious activity, notify your bank instantly to freeze the card. Reporting within 3 days generally protects consumers under limited liability guidelines set by banking regulators.
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