An IIT Jodhpur professor fell victim to cyber criminals who duped her of nearly Rs 12 lakh after falsely accusing her of being involved in a money laundering case. The professor, identified as Amrita Puri, was subjected to a terrifying ordeal where she was held under ‘digital arrest’ for 12 days.
The cyber criminals, who impersonated Mumbai Crime Branch officials, contacted Professor Amrita and informed her that a suspicious parcel belonging to her had been intercepted in Mumbai. They claimed that the parcel contained illegal substances such as drugs, as well as passports and credit cards. To avoid being arrested, the professor was told that she must cooperate and comply with their instructions.
Terrified and manipulated by the fake authorities, Professor Amrita followed their commands out of fear for her safety. The cyber criminals took control of her mobile phone, activated the camera, and monitored her every move closely. They even went as far as gaining access to her laptop via the Skype app, leaving her completely isolated and under constant surveillance.
After 10 days of psychological manipulation and coercion, the cyber criminals succeeded in transferring almost Rs 12 lakh from the professor’s account through a cheque to Yes Bank. As soon as the money changed hands, all communication devices were promptly locked, cutting off any means of contact with the outside world for Professor Amrita.
Realizing that she had been a victim of a sophisticated scam, the professor reported the incident to the Cyber police station. Investigations into the matter are ongoing, as authorities work to trace the culprits and recover the stolen funds.
The harrowing experience serves as a stark reminder of the dangers posed by cyber criminals who prey on unsuspecting individuals through elaborate deception tactics. The incident underscores the critical importance of vigilance and caution when dealing with unverified sources and requests for personal information or financial transactions.
As Professor Amrita seeks justice and attempts to recover her hard-earned money, the case stands as a cautionary tale for others to remain alert and informed about the ever-evolving tactics of cyber fraudsters. It is a sobering reminder of the need for stringent cybersecurity measures and awareness campaigns to protect individuals from falling victim to such elaborate scams.