Digital fraud, now commonly referred to as ‘Digital Arrest,’ has taken on a new form, where scammers deceive citizens under the guise of government officials. A recent case highlights the severity of this issue involving a resident of South Kolkata who was defrauded of Rs 3.4 Crores.
In September, the victim received a call from an unknown number. The caller claimed to be an official from the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) and accused the victim of uploading inappropriate content on a website called phoneerotica.com. The caller issued threats of punitive measures, leading to panic and confusion. When the victim denied involvement, explaining his limited technical knowledge regarding mobile devices, the caller insisted that his phone number was connected to the alleged offending content. The caller warned that the number might be banned under TRAI regulations, stating that a case had been opened by the Mumbai Police.
Following this, the victim was connected to a landline call from someone identifying himself as Sub-Inspector Vikram Singh of the Mumbai Police, who provided his ID number (5017) and a case document reference.The alleged officer informed the victim about an ongoing registered case, making intimidating remarks that suggested the victim had committed a serious crime. Despite the victim’s claims of innocence, the caller asserted that the case had been forwarded to the Cyber Crime Department and connected him to another individual claiming to be part of that division.
This victim from Kolkata then received a WhatsApp video call from a number that displayed the emblem of the Mumbai Police Department. The caller identified himself as Anand Ranga from the the Cyber Crime Department, but refused to activate his camera. He falsely claimed that the victim was involved in a money laundering case under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). To further the deception, the caller accurately recited the victim’s Aadhar Card number and pressured him to send a photograph of the card for alleged verification related to a purported arrest warrant from the Supreme Court of India. The victim, feeling coerced, complied with this request.
The situation escalated when the caller sent a document resembling a warrant issued by the Supreme Court, which bore the victim’s Aadhar Card number. This alarming act caused significant distress for the individual. The caller then inquired about the victim’s family situation, and upon discovering that the victim’s wife was paralysed, he resorted to threats, stating that he would implicate and arrest the victim’s son unless he cooperated fully. He presented three choices to the victim: travel to Mumbai for surrender, face an immediate arrest by local authorities in Kolkata, or adhere to the caller’s instructions.
Under immense pressure and fear, the victim divulged sensitive information regarding his bank accounts, fixed deposits, and mutual funds when the caller requested his financial details. The caller continued to intimidate the victim by sending a document labelled ‘CBI Consent in Terms of Confidentiality Agreement,’ which bore the CBI seal. This document cautioned the victim against disclosing any details to anyone, including family members, under the threat of immediate arrest and asset confiscation. The caller further claimed that the victim was being monitored and implied that people were following him to ensure compliance, intensifying the victim’s fear and anxiety.
The caller further claimed that under a government scheme, black money could be returned through third-party accounts. He went on to say that the only way the victim can protect himself is by liquidating his FDs, mutual funds and other investments, and transferring the demanded accounts to the accounts provided by the caller, over time. Even though the victim insisted on his innocence, he was assured that he would recover his funds once cleared of the alleged charges. The caller pressured the victim into liquidating his fixed deposits, mutual funds, and other investments. He instructed the victim to transfer Rs 3,40,00,000 to various accounts provided by him.
As the situation escalated, the caller used multiple phone numbers to instil fear and to pressure the victim. Over time, the caller offered vague updates about an ongoing case against the victim, claiming that progress was being made and that the investigation would ultimately reveal his innocence, leading to his discharge from the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) case. The victim, unfamiliar with legal procedures and overwhelmed by fear and trauma, placed trust in the misleading reassurances provided.
However, after mid-October, the caller’s behaviour changed dramatically. He began to ignore the victim’s calls and messages, particularly when he inquired about the progress of the case or the process for reclaiming his money post-discharge. The supposed police officer’s responses grew increasingly vague, and he ultimately blocked the victim from most contact numbers, ceasing all forms of communication. It became apparent to the victim that he had been deceived and extorted by a fraudster during this ordeal. He realised the promises made were false and the transactions were part of a well-orchestrated scam.
This case serves as a cautionary tale about the growing prevalence of digital scams and the deceptive tactics employed by fraudsters to exploit unsuspecting individuals. It highlights the importance of being vigilant against such schemes and verifying the legitimacy of any such calls or claims made by alleged officials.
It is extremely important to be cautious of fraudulent calls where scammers impersonate officials and pressure innocent and gullible people into transferring large sums of money for fake schemes. These scams often exploit fear and urgency, tricking victims into financial loss with false promises of resolving legal or financial matters.
Inputs:
Cyber Crime Station, Lalbazar HQ, KolkataPolice.
