Elderly Mumbai Couple Tricked in 'Digital Arrest' Scam, Loses Rs 70 Lakh
An elderly couple in Mumbai has fallen victim to a sophisticated cyber fraud, losing a substantial Rs 70 lakh. The scammers posed as law enforcement officials, including an IG Premkumar Gautam from NIA and a senior IPS officer Sadanand Date, to trick the couple into believing their phone number was linked to a terror investigation and their bank accounts would be frozen.
The scam, known as a 'digital arrest' scam, involved the couple being forced to stay on a nonstop video call for four days. During this time, they were cut off from their other devices and monitored by the scammers. The couple was instructed to make multiple RTGS transfers, fearing arrest under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act if they didn't comply. To add legitimacy, the scammers sent fake Reserve Bank of India acknowledgements. The couple realized their mistake only after making the final payment and reported the incident to the RAK Marg police on September 29.
Cyber experts warn that such scams are becoming increasingly common in India. They urge the public never to trust unsolicited calls from people claiming to be police or central agencies, and always to verify through official numbers.
The police have booked three people in connection with the case under the IT Act, as well as charges of impersonation and relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code. The couple's ordeal serves as a stark reminder of the importance of vigilance in the digital age.
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