An 83-year-old retired bank officer in Chandigarh has allegedly lost Rs 29.80 lakh after cyber fraudsters posed as CBI officials and threatened him with arrest in a suspected money-laundering case.
According to the complaint, Shripal Jain, a resident of Sector 22, received a call on September 9 from an unidentified person claiming to be a CBI officer. The caller allegedly told him that an arrest warrant had been issued against him and that his name had appeared in a money-laundering case.
The fraudsters allegedly kept Jain under prolonged psychological pressure and warned him against approaching the police or informing his family. He was then allegedly forced to transfer money in multiple instalments to bank accounts provided by the accused.
Even after receiving a substantial amount, the caller reportedly continued demanding more money. When the fraudsters allegedly asked for another Rs 10 lakh, Jain informed his son, who became suspicious of the calls and transactions.
Jain and his son later approached the Cyber Crime Police Station and filed a complaint. An FIR was registered on September 22 under Sections 66-C and 66-D of the Information Technology Act and several sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), including provisions related to cheating, impersonation, forgery and criminal conspiracy.
Police said the accused allegedly maintained the threat of arrest and imprisonment throughout their conversations. The case follows the “digital arrest” pattern of cyber fraud, in which criminals impersonate law-enforcement officials and pressure victims into transferring money.
“The money has been sent across many accounts. We are trying to trace it. The investigation is ongoing,” a cybercrime official said.
The police are now working to trace the transferred funds and identify those behind the fraud.
Also read: Viksit Workforce for a Viksit Bharat
Do Follow: The Mainstream LinkedIn | The Mainstream Facebook | The Mainstream Youtube | The Mainstream Twitter
About us:
The Mainstream is a premier platform delivering the latest updates and informed perspectives across the technology business and cyber landscape. Built on research-driven, thought leadership and original intellectual property, The Mainstream also curates summits & conferences that convene decision makers to explore how technology reshapes industries and leadership. With a growing presence in India and globally across the Middle East, Africa, ASEAN, the USA, the UK and Australia, The Mainstream carries a vision to bring the latest happenings and insights to 8.2 billion people and to place technology at the centre of conversation for leaders navigating the future.