Digital Arrest Scam: How a Retired Employee Lost ₹14 Lakh-This story highlights a recent cybercrime incident where a retired education department employee in Raipur fell victim to a sophisticated digital arrest scam, losing a significant amount of money. Let’s delve into the details and understand how this happened.
The Trap Begins with a Phone Call-The ordeal began with a seemingly innocuous call. A 63-year-old retiree, Rameshwar Dewangan, received a call from someone claiming to be from a telecom company. The caller instructed him to press ‘0,’ ostensibly to prevent his number from being disconnected. This seemingly simple action, however, triggered a chain of events that would lead to his financial ruin. This initial contact masked the true intentions of the criminals, paving the way for a more sinister interaction.
The CBI Impersonation and the Mounting Pressure-Subsequently, Mr. Dewangan received another call, this time from individuals posing as CBI officers. They falsely accused him of being involved in a corruption case, instilling fear and urgency. The scammers then went a step further, sending a fake notice and a picture of a person named Naresh Goyal via WhatsApp. This added a layer of authenticity to their false claims, making it harder for Mr. Dewangan to discern the truth from the deception. The cleverly crafted narrative and the use of visual aids heightened the pressure on the victim.
The ATM Card and the Demand for Money-Adding to the pressure, the scammers displayed a picture of a Canara Bank ATM card, claiming it had been seized during a raid and that Mr. Dewangan’s name had surfaced during the investigation. They instructed him to travel to Delhi to provide a statement to avoid legal repercussions. Overwhelmed by fear and believing the fabricated story, Mr. Dewangan transferred ₹14 lakh to various bank accounts provided by the scammers in a desperate attempt to protect himself from what he believed was imminent legal trouble. The manipulation and fear-mongering tactics employed by the scammers were highly effective in achieving their goal.
