Bengaluru Woman Loses ₹30 Lakh in Shocking Scam Hoax!
A 46-year-old homemaker from Bengaluru’s Indiranagar became the victim of a sophisticated cybercrime, losing over ₹30 lakh to fraudsters posing as officials from the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and Mumbai Police.
Scam Unfolds Through "Digital Arrest" Hoax
The incident started on December 3 when the woman received an automated call claiming to be from the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI). The automated message warned her that her SIM card and bank accounts would be deactivated unless she followed specific instructions.
After pressing the prompted number, she was connected to a man claiming to represent TRAI. He falsely informed her that a SIM card in her name was linked to harassment complaints. Subsequently, the call was transferred to an individual posing as a Mumbai Police sub-inspector.
The fake officer claimed the woman was under investigation for money laundering and threatened her with a “digital arrest.” As she could not travel to Mumbai immediately, the scammers escalated their deceit by arranging video calls with someone impersonating a CBI official.
Victim Coerced Into Transferring Money
To “verify” her innocence, the woman was manipulated into transferring funds in multiple installments. The fraudsters convinced her to break her fixed deposits worth ₹27.5 lakh and drain her remaining bank accounts. Over 11 days, she transferred a total of ₹30 lakh to the scammers.
Discovery and Reporting
The scam came to light when the fraudsters stopped contacting her on December 15, and their Skype account was deactivated. The woman only realized she had been duped after reading a news article about a similar scam. She reported the incident to the police on 19 Dec.
Police Investigation Underway
The authorities have registered a case and initiated an investigation into the incident. The Bengaluru police have cautioned residents to remain vigilant against similar cyber frauds, urging people to verify any suspicious calls or requests with official agencies.
Source: Inputs from various media Sources
I’m a pharmacist with a strong background in health sciences. I hold a BSc from Delhi University and a pharmacy degree from PDM University. I write articles and daily health news while interviewing doctors to bring you the latest insights. In my free time, you’ll find me at the gym or lost in a sci-fi novel.
