Hyderabad, Oct.18 (NSS): An 80-year-old female retired employee from Hyderabad, received a phone call from phone number 8594000442, claiming to be from the TRAI department. The caller informed the victim that her SIM card and Aadhar would be deactivated by 5 pm that evening and provided another phone number, before disconnecting the call.
Within 15 minutes, the victim received another call with the caller introducing himself as a Sub-Inspector of Police from Lucknow Police Station. He threatened her, stating that the mobile number 9335555768, registered in her name, was being misused for illegal advertisements and harassing text messages, which is punishable under Section 67A of the IT Act and Sections 354A, 499, and 509 of the IPC. Fraudster also alleged that she was involved in a money laundering case and that they were going to arrest her.
The fraudster shared an FIR copy supposedly from Lucknow Police Station, along with other documents said to be from TRAI, Lucknow, and the Enforcement Directorate (ED) of Uttar Pradesh via WhatsApp. The fraudster insisted that the victim come to Lucknow, but she denied the allegations and explained that she was an elderly lady. The fraudster then claimed that he would verify all her bank accounts and send the investigation report to the ED and RBI, as they were also investigating the matter. Out of fear, the victim disclosed her two bank account details to him.
The fraudster instructed the victim not to disclose the matter to anyone, stating that it was a national security issue, and asked her to deposit money in the RBI account, promising that it would be refunded after verification. In fear, the victim collected money from her son and grandson and made transfers to the numbers provided by the fraudster, totaling Rs 13,91,000 through Phone Pe and RTGS. The fraudster further instructed the victim not to reveal the matter to anyone, claiming that she was under “digital arrest.”
On October 14, 2024, the victim received a message from an unknown person demanding an additional Rs 10 lakh. At that point, the victim became suspicious, realizing that she had been trapped and being cheated. She then made an online complaint seeking help.
Cybercrime police advice the public not to get panicky if received any threatening video calls claiming them as to be CBI, RBI, ED, Customs, judges, cyber crimes police, Narcotics, FedEx, BSNL, TRAI and so on. If a call raises suspicions, individuals should end the call immediately, without engaging further and report nearest police station.
“No Govt agency or law enforcement officials will make such Skype calls and demand money for clearing the issue. There is no ‘digital arrest’ 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. Anyone becomes victims of cybercrime fraud, immediately call 1930 or register a case cybercrime.gov.in. Any emergency of cyber crime frauds, call or WhatsApp 8712665171.
