Woman loses Rs 1.25 lakh to fake police call
A 55-year-old woman in Bengaluru was duped of Rs 1.25 lakh by fraudsters who impersonated police officers, claiming her son had been arrested in a gang-rape case. The incident, reported from the city's southeastern suburb, highlights the growing menace of cyber frauds targeting vulnerable individuals.
According to the complainant, she received a call from an unknown number on June 19. The caller identified himself as a police officer from a local station and told her that her 28-year-old son had been taken into custody for alleged involvement in a gang-rape. The fraudster demanded money to secure her son's release and avoid legal proceedings.
How the scam unfolded
The woman, a resident of Anekal, panicked upon hearing the news and agreed to pay the demanded amount. The caller instructed her to transfer Rs 1.25 lakh to a bank account provided via a mobile payment app. She complied immediately, fearing for her son's safety.
After making the payment, she tried to contact her son but could not reach him initially. Later, she managed to speak to him and learned that he was safe and at work. Realizing she had been scammed, she approached the Anekal police station and filed a complaint on June 20.
Police investigation underway
A case has been registered under relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code and the Information Technology Act. Police are investigating the bank account details and mobile numbers used in the fraud. Preliminary inquiries suggest the call originated from a location outside Karnataka, possibly using spoofed numbers.
"We urge citizens to verify any such claims by directly contacting their family members or the nearest police station before making any payments," said a senior police officer involved in the investigation. "No legitimate law enforcement agency demands money over the phone for bail or release."
Rise in impersonation scams
This case is part of a broader trend of cyber frauds where scammers pose as police, tax officials, or relatives in distress. In 2025, Bengaluru reported over 1,200 cases of digital arrest scams, with losses exceeding Rs 15 crore, according to data from the city's cyber crime cell. Authorities advise people to remain cautious and report suspicious calls to the cyber crime helpline at 1930.
