How fake cops threatened retired govt employee with digital arrest and stole Rs 73.5 lakh

Hyderabad: A 75-year-old retired government employee from Secunderabad lost Rs 73.50 lakh to scammers pretending to be from the Telecom department and the police who threatened to get the victim arrested on charges of human trafficking.

Victim threatened with being charged with human trafficking

A week ago, the victim received a phone call from the number 8465873059, claiming to be from the Telecom Department. The caller asked her whether she was using the phone number 7022650000. When the victim denied ownership of that number, the caller informed her that it was linked to her Aadhaar number and had been used to make abusive calls.

He further stated that an FIR (No. BK354A-0125) had been registered against her at a Bangalore police station and that her mobile number would soon be deactivated. The victim denied the allegations, but the fraudster told her that the police would contact her soon.

Shortly after, the victim received a WhatsApp video call from the number 7347540562. The caller, dressed in a police uniform, claimed to be a police officer and asked the victim to send a photo of her Aadhaar card. The fraudster mentioned that a criminal named Sadath Khan had been arrested and that a bank account had been opened using the victim’s Aadhaar number.

He also inquired about her financial status and falsely accused her of being the 187th suspect in a human trafficking case. The fraudster further claimed that an arrest warrant and a bank account freezing order had been issued in her name, and her bank accounts needed to be checked immediately.

Later, the victim was contacted again via WhatsApp video call by someone posing as a CBI officer. This individual shared a letter, allegedly issued by the Deputy Governor of the Reserve Bank of India, stating that the authorities had permitted the victim to deposit funds for inspection by the Supreme Judicial Authority under a duplicate name. The fraudster claimed that several government and bank officials were also involved in the case.

Victim withdrew money from all her FDs

Following the fraudster’s instructions, and under immense fear and anxiety, the victim visited Axis Bank to check her account balance and close all her fixed deposits.

The fraudsters instructed her that if bank officials asked about the reason for closing her FDs, she should say that her daughter urgently needed money. Subsequently, the fraudsters sent another letter, seemingly bearing the signature and stamp of the RBI Deputy Governor, along with bank account details, and directed the victim to transfer funds from her accounts in Axis Bank, SBI, and Union Bank of India via RTGS to the fraudsters’ specified account.

They assured her that the deposited amount, along with interest, would be refunded after verification and even shared a fake receipt, supposedly issued by the Income Tax Department with an RBI stamp. The fraudsters then requested her SBI account details to facilitate the refund, and she shared a photo of her passbook. They assured her that the refund process would be completed within a few days.

Later, the fraudsters sent another letter, allegedly issued by the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of India, stating that her status would be changed from ‘accused’ to ‘victim.’ When she informed them that she was not in a financial position to pay any further amounts, they continued sending messages regarding her safety, assuring her that her case was almost resolved and that she could inform her family.

However, when the victim later tried to contact the fraudsters for an update, they stopped responding to her messages and calls. Realising she had been deceived, she understood that she had been scammed under the pretence of false allegations related to abusive calls and human trafficking, leading to the extortion. The victim transferred a total of Rs 73,50,000 to the scammers.

Public advisory

Don’t receive calls from unknown numbers. Don't panic if you receive any threatening video calls claiming them to be CBI, RBI, ED, Customs, judges, cyber crimes police, narcotics, FedEx, BSNL, TRAI etc.

If a call raises suspicion, individuals should end the call immediately, without engaging. Further, if you have any fear report immediately to the nearest police station.

No government agency or law enforcement officials will make such Skype calls and demand money to clear the issue. There is no digital arrest and online enquiry in the system.

Scammers can employ psychological tactics to manipulate emotions and decision-making. Do not deposit money to the unknown bank accounts believing false promises of unknown persons.

If you fall victim to cybercrime fraud, immediately dial 1930 or by visiting cybercrime.gov.in.

In case of any emergency of cyber fraud please call or WhatsApp 8712665171.

Follow the below links for the latest cyber awareness updates.