In a shocking turn of events, a Pune-based doctor fell victim to cyber criminals and lost a staggering amount of Rs 70 lakh. The fraudsters targeted the anesthesiologist, who is in her late 50s and currently working at a hospital in the city, by threatening her with legal action and claiming that she was involved in an ‘international organ trafficking racket’. The scammers went to great lengths to manipulate and deceive the doctor, ultimately coercing her into making five large transfers to a fraudulent mule account under the guise of complying with an investigation.
The ordeal began in late February when the doctor received a call from a man posing as a bank executive, informing her of a malfunctioning card registered in her name. Despite denying any knowledge of such a card, she was told that criminal activity was linked to it and advised to contact the ‘Delhi CID’. Subsequently, a cyber criminal masquerading as a ‘Delhi CID officer’ engaged her in a video call, dressed in a police uniform and claiming that she was under investigation for transactions worth Rs 3 crore connected to organ and child trafficking. The fake officer threatened her with arrest if she did not cooperate with the probe.
The fraudsters went to great lengths to maintain the facade of a legitimate investigation, convincing the doctor that she was under surveillance and coercing her into divulging details about her finances. Eventually, she was instructed to transfer her savings and investments to a mule account, under the false pretense that they were government accounts and the funds would be returned promptly. As the scheme progressed, she was compelled to mortgage her house and seek additional funds, until a realization dawned upon her when she contacted a relative for assistance.
Realizing she had fallen victim to a cyber fraud, the doctor filed a complaint with the cyber crime police station, triggering an investigation into the elaborate scam. Authorities uncovered the intricate web of multinational syndicates behind such cyber crimes, exploiting unsuspecting individuals to channel money through mule accounts and cryptocurrency pathways to international cyber criminals.
The Ministry of Home Affairs issued an advisory highlighting the prevalence of online blackmail cases involving fraudsters impersonating law enforcement agencies and extorting money from their targets. These fraudulent practices were also brought to light by Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his ‘Mann Ki Baat’ program, shedding light on the need for heightened awareness and vigilance in the face of cyber threats.
As this unfortunate incident underscores, it is imperative for individuals to exercise caution and skepticism when approached by unknown entities making alarming claims. Vigilance, awareness, and proactive measures are crucial in safeguarding against the sophisticated tactics employed by cyber criminals, ensuring the security of personal and financial information in an increasingly digitized world.