HDFC Bank’s Branch Manager Prevents Senior Citizen From Being Defrauded Of Rs 1.35 Crore

~The customer was being cheated via the 'Digital Arrest' Fraud ~

An alert HDFC Bank branch manager from Kankanady branch, Mangalore helped save a senior citizen from being defrauded of Rs 1.35 crore through the ‘digital arrest’ fraud.

One of the Bank’s elderly customers walked into HDFC Bank’s Kankanady branch with FD receipts worth Rs 1.35 crore and insisted that the branch manager liquidate the deposit immediately. Since the customer looked anxious, the branch manager felt something might be amiss. Observing that the customer was active on a call with someone who was frequently taking updates on the progress of payment, the branch manager suspected that it may be a case of cyber fraud (digital arrest). The branch manager spoke to the customer, sensitised her about the modus operandi of such frauds and then called the City Crime Branch, Mangalore. The police assisted the customer in blocking the numbers and reporting the case. 

The fraudsters tried to dupe the customer by posing as police officers. They mentioned that during an Enforcement Directorate (ED) raid, they found 300-400 Debit Cards out of which one card belonged to the customer. They further said that her account was being used for money laundering and the case was being investigated further. The fraudsters then asked that the customer to send the money to an account, claiming that that was a RBI account. She was also informed that the money would be returned with interest if she was proved innocent. The fraudsters were dressed as police officers during the video call and displayed a fabricated arrest warrant.

What is Digital Arrest

In a digital arrest scam, fraudsters target individuals or businesses, posing as law enforcement or government officials. Victims are threatened with a digital arrest warrant for alleged tax evasion, regulatory violations or financial misconduct. The fraudsters ask for payment in the form of ‘settlement fee’ or ‘penalty’ to withdraw the digital arrest warrant. Once the payment is made, the fraudsters disappear, leaving no trace of their identity. The victims are left with a monetary loss and sometimes an identity theft, due to the personal details shared with the fraudsters.

Tips to protect yourself from Digital Arrest Fraud

Real government officials or law enforcement agency will never ask for payment or banking details.

Scammers often create a sense of urgency to make victims act quickly without thinking.

Do not share sensitive information such as KYC details, bank details like - user ID password, card details, CVV, OTPs or PIN number, with anyone.

An officer's identity should be verified by independently contacting government officials or a law enforcement agency.

Look for errors in documents and avoid clicking on suspicious links. 

Report such suspected fraudulent communication on Department of Telecommunication's Chakshu Portal - www.sancharsaathi.gov.in immediately.

In the event of a falling prey to an online fraud the victim should immediately report the unauthorised transactions to the Bank in order to get the payment channel blocked, i.e., cards/UPI/net banking to safeguard against future losses. Customers should also file a complaint by calling 1930 helpline number started by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) as well as submit a complaint on the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal https://www.cybercrime.gov.in

Union Bank of India Unveil "NRI Carnival 2025", An Exciting Event Created Exclusively For Non-Resident Indians (NRIs)

Union Bank of India is pleased to unveil the NRI Carnival 2025, an exciting event created exclusively for Non-Resident Indians (NRIs). The NRI Carnival 2025 promises to be a one-stop destination for NRIs to connect, learn, and enjoy, reinforcing Union Bank of India’s commitment to serving the diverse needs of its global customers.

The vibrant NRI Carnival 2025 kicked off in Bengaluru and will travel to over 15 dynamic cities across India, including New Delhi, Madhapur, Ernakulam, and Goa, before concluding in Mumbai.

This unique carnival is designed to offer valuable insights on investment opportunities, along with cultural experiences and a variety of family-oriented activities.

Highlights of the event include:

Wealth Management & Investment Insights: Expert sessions on strategies for financial growth and securing future assets.

Family-Friendly Entertainment: A range of fun activities for all age groups, ensuring a memorable experience for families.

Health & Wellness Lounges: Special zones offering health checkups and wellness tips to promote physical and mental well-being.

Exclusive NRI Banking Offers: Attractive banking products and services curated specifically for the NRI community.

SUD Life Launches Its ANOTHER UNIT LINKED Fund: SUD Life MidCap Momentum Index Fund

Star Union Dai-ichi Life Insurance Co. Ltd. (SUD Life) proudly announces the launch of the SUD Life Midcap Momentum Index Fund this New Year, presenting policyholders with an exciting opportunity to harness the growth potential of India’s vibrant mid-cap market.

For those unfamiliar, midcap companies are those that have a proven business model, are primed for high growth, and which are under-owned by equity markets. While mid- cap indices may exhibit higher volatility, they often deliver superior returns over the long term compared to large-cap indices, making them a compelling choice for growth- oriented investors. Momentum investing, on the other hand, carries less risk. SUD Life Midcap Momentum Index Fund, with its 6-monthly rebalancing, highlights the best- performing stocks while systematically removing weaker ones. This rebalancing methodology not only focuses on strong returns but also rewards stocks exhibiting lower volatility.

This fund tracks the Nifty MidCap 150 Momentum 50 Index, which combines two powerful investment strategies: mid-cap growth potential and momentum, identifying the top- performing mid-cap stocks based on their price momentum over a defined period, ensuring a focused portfolio of companies demonstrating consistent performance and growth trends. The fund curates a low-cost, diversified portfolio of midcap stocks, helping investors capture the growth cycle across various stocks in the midcap universe.

“The fund is well suited for investors with a moderate to high-risk appetite, aiming for long term capital appreciation and exposure to India’s thriving mid-cap market. It suits those looking to enhance their portfolio with a smart, momentum-driven strategy”, said Prashant Sharma, Chief Investment Officer of SUD Life.

With SUD Life’s Midcap Momentum Index Fund, investors can stay ahead of market trends and position their portfolios to reap the benefits of India’s growth story while maintaining their life insurance cover. Invest today and take a confident step toward achieving your financial goals.

This fund will be available under SUD Life Star Tulip, SUD Life Wealth Creator, SUD Life Wealth Builder, and SUD Life e-Wealth Royale at present.

IN THIS POLICY, THE INVESTMENT RISK IN THE INVESTMENT PORTFOLIOS IS BORNE BY THE POLICYHOLDER.

Strategic Philanthropy To Combat Cancer: WinZO And Tata Memorial Hospital Invest To Set-Up India’s First Gene Counseling Facility

* Through WinZO’s ‘Play to Prevent Cancer’ initiative, the platform and its users contribute to India’s first genetic counseling and testing lab.

WinZO launched the initiative ‘Play to Prevent Cancer’ to raise funds for early cancer detection through gene counselling and also to create awareness for its 200 million user bases on the critical role of early cancer detection. Through its ‘Play to Prevent Cancer’ hour on its platform, WinZO raised funds from its users and its 200 team members matched the amount raised through its user base to expand the total donation. This amount was donated to Advanced Centre for Treatment, Research, and Education in Cancer (ACTREC) at Tata Memorial Hospital and will be used to train the gene counselling team at the Tata Memorial Hospital.

WinZO opted to scale India’s early cancer detection capabilities since cancer has now become one of leading causes of death and imposes heavy burden on the patients, their caregivers, and families at large. During 2000-2019, ~13 mn Indians lost their lives to 23 forms of cancer; this is twice the size of Singapore. In 2022, globally there were 20 million new cancer cases and 9.7 million deaths. The number of new annual cases is expected to rise to new 35 million cases by 2050. However, during the last 20 years, there have been significant breakthroughs in cancer prevention, treatment, and palliative care. The most impactful intervention comes at the stage of Genetic Counselling, rapidly emerging as the pivotal tool to preempt and mitigate the risk of cancer. The partnership between WinZO, India’s largest interactive social gaming platform, and Tata Memorial Hospital aims to address the burgeoning risk of cancer through genetic counselling to improve knowledge of genetics prone to cancer and support early detection and treatment among prospective cancer patients in India.

The focus of the initiative is skill development for genetic counselling, supporting critical interventions on gene reporting & screening, and family counselling. Such investment in skilling and training on gene counselling is likely to have a network effect on how we address the concerns around cancer prevention, awareness, and early detection. This intervention will expand India's capacity to provide genetic counselling through the country's low-cost genetic testing lab at Tata Memorial Hospital, allowing more Indians from different socioeconomic backgrounds to access this critical intervention.

Dr. Rajiv Sarin, Head of the Cancer Genetics Clinic and Cancer Genetics/Genomics Lab at Tata Memorial Hospital, emphasized the importance of capacity building and skilling: “I thank WinZO and its users for their invaluable contributions. Their support for Genetic Counselling Professionals will be crucial in assisting millions of Indians diagnosed with cancer. These Cancer Genetic Professionals would provide timely, culturally sensitive, individualised, and evidence-based genetic counselling to cancer patients To maximize the impact of donated resources, such as equipment or infrastructure, we need an army of well-trained, motivated professionals.”

The journey of a cancer patient and their caregivers is also riddled with mental health challenges. Data shows that up to 20% of cancer patients experience depression, and 10% experience anxiety, regardless of the treatment phase or point in the disease trajectory. The same data also mentions that over 35–40% of cancer patients have a diagnosable psychiatric disorder, including neuropsychiatric manifestations and stress-related, neurocognitive, adjustment, and somatic symptom disorders. Together, these challenges increase the suicide risk of patients and loneliness, particularly in the early stages after diagnosis.

Games on WinZO’s platform also often serve as a therapeutic tool to reduce stress, anxiety, and social isolation related to illness, providing distraction through entertainment, and enhancing mental agility among cancer patients. Casual social games like on WinZO’s platform offers cancer patients an avenue to explore alternative coping methods by playing games that improve cognitive benefits such as attention control, cognitive flexibility, and information processing, thereby addressing symptoms of depression and anxiety. WinZO’s users highlighted how its games have struck a chord with patients undergoing cancer treatment and facing the associated mental health challenges. They have mentioned how it made them part of the larger community and provided a sense of belonging through physical isolation. This drastically reduced their anxiety, depression, and loneliness. Nachiket Mor, Scientist at The Banyan Academy of Leadership in Mental Health, further highlighted the potential of gaming in healthcare, "Cancer patients often face significant mental health challenges, with up to 90% experiencing anxiety and many older adults battling loneliness post-diagnosis. The fight against cancer can leave you with long-term mental health issues, not only for the patient but also for their families. Online gaming offers a promising yet underutilized tool to support mental well-being, improve treatment adherence, and educate patients in an engaging and non-intimidating way. By integrating gaming into cancer care, we can foster resilience, enhance patient support, and create a more compassionate healthcare system, providing a significant avenue to support patients during times of crisis and for addressing long-term challenges such as depression, anxiety, and more."

A cancer survivor and user of WinZO, shared their experience, "Gaming on WinZO’s platform was a huge relief for me. Whenever I felt anxious or overwhelmed, I would take a few minutes to play, focusing on my strategy and the game rather than my worries. The fast-paced games, often lasting just 2-3 minutes, redirected my energy toward something positive and mentally engaging. Whether solving word puzzles or working with numbers, these games distracted me and built my mental skills, keeping me motivated and optimistic during challenging times.”

IndiaBonds.com Launches Digital Fixed Deposits – Expands Fixed Income Product Suite

IndiaBonds.com, a SEBI-registered Stock Broker (Debt Segment) & licensed Online Bond Platform Provider (OBPP), has launched Digital Fixed Deposits (FDs), making fixed-income investments more accessible and convenient for individual investors across India. With this addition, IndiaBonds.com now offers a unified platform for managing both bonds and fixed deposits seamlessly, bringing all fixed-income investments under one ambit. This launch is in line with IndiaBonds’ vision to deliver stable and rewarding investment options to retail investors while simplifying portfolio management.

The platform offers a fully digital, paperless onboarding process, including quick KYC completion, making it easy for retail investors to get started. On the platform the investors can earn up to 9.4% interest in their fixed deposit investments.  Its integrated portfolio dashboard provides clear insights into cashflows, returns, and fixed income allocations, helping investors track and manage their investments efficiently. 

By combining the stability of fixed deposits with the big flexibility of bonds, the platform empowers investors to build balanced, diversified portfolios. Additionally, investors benefit from customizable payout options, low minimum investment requirements, and the convenience of managing all their fixed-income investments in one place. The platform will expand its offerings with additional FD partners in the coming weeks.

Vishal Goenka, Co-founder of IndiaBonds.com, said, “At IndiaBonds, we have always focused on making regulated fixed-income investments simple, transparent, and accessible for individual investors. The launch of Digital Fixed Deposits is a natural step forward in our journey of expanding product offerings. By integrating bonds and FDs on one platform, we are enabling investors to optimize their portfolios effortlessly and take full advantage of fixed-income opportunities in the current market environment.” 

He added, “We are committed to continuously evolving our platform and product suite to provide clients with seamless access to stable and diversified investment options, empowering them to make informed financial decisions with ease.”

This innovative offering not only caters to the growing demand for diverse investment options but also reinforces IndiaBonds.com’s commitment to empowering individual investors with tools to make informed and rewarding financial decisions.

About IndiaBonds https://www.indiabonds.com/ 

Launched in 2021, IndiaBonds is a SEBI-registered leading Online Bond Platform Provider. It provides access to investors in the fixed-income market in a low-cost, transparent, and easy-to-use manner. 

At the helm of this bondtech company are industry veterans - Vishal Goenka, Co-Founder; and Aditi Mittal, Co-Founder & Director. This core team is committed to pioneering the digital revolution in the corporate bond market in India. 

IndiaBonds provides a wholesome solution to bond investing to its customers; and enable them to unlock the value of the fixed-income asset class. The experienced team assists investors with access to a wide choice of bond investment opportunities that provide stability, generate predictable income, and meet their investment objectives.

Within the Online Bond Platform Providers community, IndiaBonds is recognized as a revolutionizing fintech start-up owing to some of its ground-breaking innovations in the fixed-income industry. 

In 2022, it announced the launch of its strategic tool, the Bond Yield Calculator, which aids investors by simplifying the complexities of calculating corporate bond prices and yield. 

In 2021, it launched a comprehensive Bond Directory for the general public to have detailed information on all INR-denominated bonds outstanding in India.

Honda Motorcycle & Scooter India (HMSI) Introduced New OBD2B-Compliant Version Of The 'Activa 125

Honda Motorcycle & Scooter India (HMSI) today introduced the new OBD2B-compliant version of the Activa 125 with refreshed colours and advanced features. The prices of the new 2025 Honda Activa 125 start at Rs. 94,422 (ex-showroom Delhi).

Introducing the OBD2B Activa 125, Mr. Tsutsumu Otani, Managing Director, President & CEO, Honda Motorcycle & Scooter India, said, “We are happy to announce the new OBD2B-compliant Activa 125. The introduction of this updated model demonstrates our commitment to customer satisfaction. With advanced features like TFT display & Bluetooth connectivity via Honda RoadSync app in the 125cc scooter segment, we aim to redefine the riding experience for customers. We are confident that it will set benchmark in its segment.”

Commenting on this announcement, Mr. Yogesh Mathur, Director, Sales and Marketing, Honda Motorcycle & Scooter India, said, “The Activa 125 has been a preferred choice for customers and its latest upgrade is designed to further enhance the convenience and style quotient. By integrating smart connectivity features like Bluetooth, navigation, and USB Type-C charging port, we are addressing the evolving needs of today’s riders. With vibrant new colours and advanced technology, the new Activa 125 is all-set to appeal prospective buyers and rule the segment.”  

New Activa 125: Advanced Features and New Colours

The Activa 125 now boasts a host of new advancements designed to elevate the riding experience of customers. At the heart of this upgrade is a 123.92cc, single-cylinder PGM-Fi engine that is now OBD2B compliant and develops 6.20 kW of power and 10.5 Nm of torque. It is also equipped with an advanced idling stop system which enhances fuel efficiency, aligning with Honda’s sustainable philosophy.

In terms of features, the Activa 125 sports a new 4.2-inch TFT display with Bluetooth connectivity. It is compatible with Honda RoadSync app, enabling functions like navigation and call/message alerts, allowing riders to stay connected while on the move. The Activa 125 also comes equipped with a USB Type-C charging port, ensuring convenience for riders to charge their devices on the go.

Standing true to the trust reposed by millions of customers in the brand, the Activa 125 retains its iconic silhouette but now gets contrasting brown-coloured seats and inner panels, enhancing its visual appeal. It will be offered in two variants, DLX and H-Smart, with six colour options on sale. They are – Pearl Igneous Black, Matt Axis Gray Metallic, Pearl Deep Ground Gray, Pearl Siren Blue, Rebel Red Metallic, and Pearl Precious White.   

New Activa 125: Price and Availability

The prices of the new 2025 Honda Activa 125 start at Rs. 94,422, ex-showroom Delhi. It is now available at HMSI dealerships across India.

Honda Motorcycle & Scooter India Closes Calendar Year 2024 With 58,01,498 Unit Sales

* 3,08,083 units sold in December 2024

Honda Motorcycle & Scooter India today announced its sales numbers for the month of December 2024.

The company’s total sales for December’24 stood at 3,08,083 units. This includes domestic sales of 2,70,919 units and 37,164 units exports.

Noteworthy, HMSI’s wholesales for the calendar year 2024 stood at 58,01,498 units, registering a 32% YoY growth over CY’2023. This includes domestic sales of 52,92,976 units and 5,08,522 units exports.

HMSI’s Key Highlights of Calendar Year 2024:

New Offerings in Red Wing Business

Electric Vehicles: Honda Motorcycle & Scooter India (HMSI) ushered into the next era of mobility with the introduction of ACTIVA e: and QC1 in the electric vehicle segment. Bookings for the same began on January 1, 2025, and their deliveries will commence from February 2025 onwards. The prices of these all-new electric scooters will be revealed at the Bharat Mobility Global Expo later this month.

OBD2B Compliant Products: To further delight its customers, HMSI launched the OBD2B compliant models of Activa 125, SP125, SP160, and Unicorn with advanced features.

Honda’s Premium Motorcycle Business ‘BigWing’

New Offerings: HMSI launched the all-new ‘NX500’ adventure tourer. Meaning ’New X-over’, the NX500 is crafted to offer a delightful experience across a spectrum of terrains, on everything from a winding road to a gravel trail or long-distance adventures.

Flex-fuel Vehicle: HMSI launched the new CB300F Flex-Fuel, marking a significant stride in the country's transition to greener mobility solutions. The CB300F is India’s first 300cc flex-fuel motorcycle.

Business & Brand Milestones

New Assembly Lines: In a momentous step towards bolstering the ‘Make in India’ initiative, HMSI inaugurated a new 3rd assembly line at its fourth two-wheeler plant at Vithalapur in the state of Gujarat. The company also added a new state-of-the-art engine assembly line at its Global Resource Factory in Manesar, Gurugram (Haryana), with a focus on CKD (Completely Knocked Down) exports.

Business Milestones: HMSI accomplished a historic achievement of 6 crore domestic sales in India. Starting its retail operations in June 2001, Honda has been delighting the Indian customers for over two decades. Additionally, Honda’s 125cc motorcycles ‘Shine & SP125’ crossed over 30 lakh customers in Eastern India. The company also announced its remarkable feat of crossing 10 million customer mark for Activa in Southern India.

Road Safety

To make Indian roads safer for all, HMSI organized road safety awareness campaigns in schools, colleges, and government organizations for both kids & adults. The initiative was spread to more than 100 cities across the country.

HMSI also organized eight Road Safety Conventions in various cities with school principals & teachers as a part of their ongoing project - Mindset Development for our Future Generation. With this, the company has cumulatively educated more than 85 lakh Indian citizens on importance of road safety.

Corporate Social Responsibility

Projects for Socio-Economic upliftment: Honda India Foundation (HIF) continued with its flagship program Project Pragati under which it provides theory, simulator & practical training to both new and existing GDAs. HIF along with the Mizoram Youth Commission (MYC) and Visan Foundation launched “Project Buniyaad - Aathmanirbharta Ka Aadhar” that aims at providing employment to the unemployed youth from the marginal sections of society. HIF also commenced its “Stree …steering her own path” women empowerment initiative and completed training female cab drivers at its Institute of Driving Training and Research, Karnal.

Industrial Visit for Students: HMSI conducted an industrial visit for young students at its Global Resource Factory in Manesar (Haryana). Under this initiative, the company organized presentations & practical guided tour of the company’s manufacturing facility along with engaging sessions by HMSI’s experts in the areas of Health, Road Safety & Motorsports.

World Environment Day: HMSI celebrated Environment Month coinciding with the World Environment Day on June 5th. As part of the Environment month celebrations, HMSI is setting an inspiring example by planting 1 lakh trees across various regions of India.

Motorsports

Honda India Talent Cup: Displaying exceptional racing prowess, Mohsin Paramban clinched the top position and won the 2024 IDEMITSU Honda Indian Talent Cup NSF250R.

Asia Road Racing Championship: Making a significant mark on international soil, IDEMITSU Honda Racing India's Kavin Quintal and Mohsin Paramban raced in the Asia Road Racing Championship finale. The IDEMITSU Honda Racing India team earned a total of 13 points for the season in the Asia Production 250cc (AP250) class.

MotoGP: Repsol Honda Team rider Joan Mir attained the 21st position, while his teammate Luca Marini stood at 22nd position in the MotoGP 2024 championship.

Dakar Rally: Monster Energy Honda Team rider Ricky Brabec, riding the CRF450 RALLY factory bike, won the overall motorcycle category for the second time since 2020 in the Dakar Rally 2024, opening round of the FIM World Rally-Raid Championship held in Saudi Arabia.