In a concerning case of digital fraud, a retired Army officer has allegedly lost over ₹15.63 lakh in a scam involving social media manipulation, impersonation, and a fake immigration emergency. The Daaliganj Cyber Crime Cell has registered the case and started an investigation.
The victim, a resident of Rail Nagar who retired on October 1, 2025, said he recently reconnected on Instagram with a woman he had met during a 2012–13 visit to New York at the United Nations headquarters. The woman, identified as “Nicole Anderson,” claimed she had arrived at Mumbai airport from the UK.
On the day of the incident, the officer received a call from a person posing as an “immigration officer.” The caller said Anderson had been detained due to incomplete documentation related to a demand draft she was carrying. The caller claimed that while part of the penalty had been paid in cash, additional funds were urgently required to complete legal formalities.
Believing the situation to be genuine and after confirming details with the alleged foreign national, the officer transferred money in multiple transactions to different bank accounts for immigration clearance.
The fraud came to light only after all communication with the woman and the callers suddenly stopped. The victim then filed complaints with both the Daaliganj Cyber Crime Cell and the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal (NCRP).
Police officials warned that such scams exploit trust built through social media and often use fear and urgency to extract money. Cybersecurity experts also highlighted the increasing use of impersonation and social engineering in such cases, advising people to verify claims independently and avoid transferring funds without proper checks.
The Cyber Cell is continuing its investigation and is working with banks and online platforms to trace those involved and prevent similar incidents.
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