Karnataka Man Duped of ₹1.7 Crore in Sophisticated Online Fraud
In a meticulously orchestrated scam, a Karnataka resident lost ₹1.7 crore to fraudsters posing as officials from the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI). The elaborate con unfolded over a week, exploiting fear and intimidation tactics to extort money.
How the Scam Unfolded
The victim’s ordeal began on November 11, when he received a call from someone claiming to represent TRAI. The caller alleged that a mobile number registered in his name was being used for illegal activities in Mumbai’s Andheri East. He was falsely informed that an FIR had been lodged against him for harassment via marketing calls and that his mobile service would be deactivated within two hours unless he contacted the Andheri police station.
Shortly thereafter, another individual, posing as “Pradeep Sawant,” claimed to be an officer investigating a money laundering case tied to the Naresh Goyal fraud. Sawant alleged that a bank account in the victim’s name, opened at Canara Bank in Andheri, was being used for illegal financial transactions.
Fake CBI and Police Impersonations
The scam escalated when the victim received a WhatsApp video call from two individuals impersonating a police officer named Rahul Kumar and a CBI officer named Akanksha. During the video call, the fraudsters displayed fabricated documents, including a fake case file implicating the victim in a money laundering scheme.
The scammers demanded money to “resolve” the issue and threatened severe consequences, including arrest and damage to his reputation. Believing their claims, the victim transferred ₹1.7 crore through multiple RTGS transactions between November 13 and 19.
Discovery and Legal Action
The victim realized he had been duped only after the transactions were completed. He subsequently lodged a complaint at the Cyber, Economic, and Narcotics (CEN) police station. The authorities have registered a case and launched an investigation into the incident.
Police Advisory
Police have warned the public to remain vigilant against such scams. They urge individuals to:
- Verify the identity of anyone claiming to represent government or law enforcement agencies.
- Avoid transferring money under pressure without thorough verification.
- Report suspicious calls or messages immediately to local authorities or cybercrime helplines.
This case underscores the growing sophistication of cybercriminals, who exploit fear and manipulate victims with convincing impersonations and forged documents. Authorities are continuing their investigation to trace the fraudsters and recover the stolen funds.
