A 72-year-old retired lawyer from Noida became a victim of an advanced cyber fraud, losing ₹3.29 crore after scammers kept her under so-called ‘digital arrest’ for nine days, the police said on Wednesday. The case is now registered at the Cybercrime Branch police station and is being actively investigated.
Scam Initiated with False Charges and Aadhaar Abuse Allegations
As per police, the ordeal started on June 10 when the woman from Sector 47 got a call on her landline. The caller claimed that her Aadhaar number was connected to four different bank accounts that were utilized for unlawful activities such as gambling, extortion, and the illicit purchase of weapons.
“She was informed that her Aadhaar number was being used in four bank accounts and funds were being spent on gambling, blackmailing, illicit buying of weapons, etc.,” said a police officer who did not wish to be identified.
Fraudsters Assumed Office of Police, Asked for Bank Details
The fraudsters are said to have provided her with an unknown number with which to call for procuring a no-objection certificate. When she made the call, she was flooded with calls from people assuming office of police personnel.
“The scams provided the victim with an unknown mobile number to get a no-objection certificate. When she called that number, she began receiving numerous calls from individuals who claimed to be police officers,” the officer further added.
Under duress and threat of legal action, the elderly woman provided her bank account information to the scammers and was convinced to encash her paycheck.
Victim Transferred Funds via RTGS in Five Bank Visits
Within a span of nine days, from June 16 to June 24, she made repeated visits to her bank and transferred ₹3.29 crore through five different RTGS transactions.
“The lone resident victim transferred ₹3.29 crore in five payments through RTGS after making bank visits. She realized she had been cheated after narrating the incident to her daughter,” said Cybercrime Branch station house officer Ranjeet Singh.
FIR Registered, Police Making Efforts to Track the Money
After she lodged her complaint, police registered an FIR on charges of cheating, personation, and under provisions of the IT Act and Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). The investigators are now making efforts to track the trail of money and catch the perpetrators.
Authorities have also warned citizens—particularly elderly citizens who live alone—to be careful of unsolicited calls, and to check identities before divulging any sensitive information or making any monetary decisions.
