A 68-year-old resident of Humayun Nagar in Hyderabad was cheated of ₹26.06 lakh by cyber fraudster impersonating senior law enforcement officers. The criminals claimed to be from the Anti-Terrorist Squad, the National Investigation Agency, and even the Director General of Police’s office, falsely linking the victim to money laundering and the Pahalgam attack in Kashmir.
The victim initially received a phone call accusing him of involvement in terrorism-related activities. During subsequent WhatsApp video calls, the fraudsters presented fake arrest warrants and fabricated documents to intimidate him. Under pressure, the victim prematurely closed his fixed deposits and transferred ₹6.06 lakh from his accounts at Kotak Mahindra Bank and RBL Bank. He later transferred ₹20 lakh from his wife’s account into a bank account held under the name ‘Hentry Jones’. The scammers also used counterfeit letters claiming to be from the Reserve Bank of India to make their threats appear legitimate.
The victim only informed his family after they became suspicious and later reported the case to the National Cyber Crime Helpline, 1930.
The Cyber Crime Wing of Hyderabad police has warned the public to exercise extreme caution, emphasising that there is no such thing as a ‘digital arrest’. Police and other authorities never demand money to clear names or issue certificates in exchange for payments.
Officials noted that cyber fraudsters increasingly use caller ID spoofing, WhatsApp video calls, and forged documents to intimidate victims with false allegations of terrorism or financial crime. Victims are often pressured to keep the matter secret while being coerced into transferring funds under the guise of verification or obtaining a “No Involvement Certificate.”
Citizens are advised to remain calm, avoid sharing personal or financial information, and immediately disconnect suspicious calls. Any claims should be verified directly with local police or official government helplines. Victims of financial fraud can contact the Cyber Crime Helpline at 1930 or report incidents online at www.cybercrime.gov.in.
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