A Congress leader from Haryana was defrauded of Rs 10 lakh by a cybercriminal who impersonated Rahul Gandhi's personal secretary, prompting a police investigation into the elaborate scam.
How the Fraud Unfolded
The victim, identified as Rakesh Kumar, a district Congress committee member from Sirsa, received a call on June 20 from a man claiming to be Rahul Gandhi's secretary. The caller stated that Gandhi urgently needed funds for party work and requested a transfer of Rs 10 lakh to a specified bank account. Believing the caller's fabricated story, Kumar transferred the amount via online banking.
According to the police complaint filed by Kumar, the fraudster used a spoofed phone number that appeared to be from a legitimate Congress party contact. The scammer also provided fake documents to support the request, including a forged letter on Congress letterhead.
Discovery of the Fraud
Kumar became suspicious after he was unable to reach the purported secretary on the same number later. He then contacted the Sirsa district Congress office and learned that no such request had been made. Realizing he had been cheated, Kumar filed a complaint with the Sirsa Cyber Crime Police Station on June 22.
Police have registered a case under relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code and the Information Technology Act. An investigation is underway to trace the bank account and identify the perpetrators. Assistant Commissioner of Police (Cyber Crime) Rajesh Kumar stated, "We are analyzing call records and digital footprints to track the fraudster. Such impersonation scams are becoming common, and we urge people to verify any such requests directly with the concerned person or office."
Impact and Warnings
The incident has raised concerns about the vulnerability of political figures and their associates to cyber fraud. Congress party leaders in Haryana have issued advisories to members to remain vigilant and verify any financial requests through official channels.
Cyber security experts note that impersonation scams often exploit the trust and urgency associated with high-profile leaders. They recommend cross-checking with known contacts and never transferring money based solely on phone calls or emails.
