Online scams are rapidly becoming a significant cyber threat in India, with a noticeable increase in cyber fraud cases over the past few months. Scammers are using more sophisticated tactics to deceive their victims. A prominent example is the recent rise in parcel fraud, where individuals receive calls about a fake confiscated package at the airport. However, as public awareness of this scam increases, scammers are quickly adapting and shifting their focus to new fraudulent schemes.
One notable case illustrating this shift involved a 68-year-old retired chemical engineer from Pimple Saudagar, who lost a staggering Rs 81 lakh of his life savings after receiving a phone call alleging illegal advertisements linked to his phone number. According to the Indian Express, the incident began in the third week of May when the engineer received a call from an unidentified number. The caller informed him that 24 complaints had been lodged against his phone number for illegal advertisements and objectionable content. The caller further threatened that both his and his wife's phone numbers would be disconnected and that a case had been registered against him at the Fort Police Station in Mumbai.
To lend credibility to the scam, the fraudster connected the victim to another individual posing as an inspector from the Fort Police Station. This supposed officer claimed the engineer was implicated in money laundering activities and needed to speak to the 'Mumbai CBI Chief' to resolve the issue. The complainant was then connected via a video call to a profile displaying a police logo as its display picture, further enhancing the illusion of authenticity.
During the video call, the impersonator, posing as a CBI officer, escalated the situation by stating that the Supreme Court had issued an order to freeze the engineer's assets and arrest him due to the alleged illegal activities and money laundering linked to his account. The mention of the Supreme Court terrified the victim, and despite his repeated denials of any wrongdoing, he was informed that his case could be given 'priority investigation' to clear his name. The scammer then demanded detailed personal and financial information from the victim, including his bank balance and investment details. The victim was coerced into transferring Rs 60 lakh and Rs 21 lakh to 'government accounts as security deposits,' with assurances that these transfers would help clear his name.
The demands continued, with the fraudsters insisting that the victim liquidate his remaining investments. This persistence eventually raised the engineer's suspicions, leading him to realize he had been duped. He then approached the police and registered a First Information Report (FIR).
A police officer familiar with the investigation noted that the modus operandi of this scam is similar to the notorious 'drugs in parcel' scam, albeit with different pretexts for intimidating victims. In the 'drugs in parcel' scams, victims are contacted by individuals pretending to be international courier service executives, claiming that drugs were found in parcels addressed to them. These victims are then manipulated into speaking with fake law enforcement profiles, often through Skype, where they are coerced into making substantial payments under various pretexts such as customs fees or legal charges, with threats of bank account hacks and surveillance.
To combat these scams, authorities strongly advise citizens to ignore fake calls threatening to disconnect their mobile numbers or alleging misuse in illegal activities.
