Agartala, 29th May 2026: . A new form of cyber fraud targeting rural loan borrowers has triggered widespread concern in Khowai after fraudsters allegedly impersonated employees of Aashirvad Microfinance and attempted to collect weekly loan installments through online transactions.
The incident came to light on Friday, the designated weekly EMI collection day for many borrowers in the Sonatala and Durgaganj areas. According to reports, unidentified callers contacted customers over the phone, falsely claiming to represent the Khowai-based lending institution Aashirvad Microfinance, located near Arvind Park.
Mrityunjay Reang, a Group Leader and staff member of the organization, said the matter first surfaced early in the morning when a customer informed him about suspicious phone calls demanding online payments. During subsequent inquiries, it was discovered that at least two customers from different localities had received repeated calls pressuring them to transfer installment amounts digitally.
In one instance, a woman from Durgapur reportedly received a call around 7:30 AM from mobile number 9334639176. The caller claimed that the regular collection staff member was unable to visit due to a family function and instructed her to transfer the installment amount online using a QR code sent through the phone. The woman was allegedly subjected to repeated calls and mental harassment to make the payment immediately.
Sensing foul play, the customers contacted the organization’s actual field staff. Confirming the incident, Mrityunjay Reang clarified that Aashirvad Microfinance never asks customers to transfer installment payments online through phone calls.
The organization is now preparing to lodge a formal complaint with Khowai Police Station. Meanwhile, affected residents have demanded a Cyber Cell investigation into how confidential customer details allegedly reached the fraudsters.
