Hyderabad Senior Citizens Lose 60 Lakh in Elaborate Police Impersonation Scams
Hyderabad police have registered two separate cases where senior citizens lost substantial amounts of money to sophisticated impersonation scams. Fraudsters posing as law enforcement officials deceived a retired employee and a retired professor, extracting approximately sixty lakh rupees through threats and fabricated documents.
First Case: Retired Employee Loses 45 Lakh
A sixty-four-year-old retired woman living in Raj Nagar near Raj Bhavan Road became the first victim. On December 28, she received a telephone call from a person claiming to be an officer from Colaba police station in Mumbai. The caller made a serious allegation that someone had obtained a SIM card using her Aadhaar details. This SIM card, they claimed, circulated obscene material online.
The situation escalated quickly. The initial caller instructed the woman to cooperate with an investigation over WhatsApp. Another individual, posing as a police officer, contacted her through the messaging platform. This second fraudster presented fake Reserve Bank of India documents to the victim. They also showed her a fabricated document labeled as a 'priority letter for investigation.' This letter falsely named her as an accused in a massive money-laundering case worth 4.9 crore rupees.
The impostors used fear as their primary weapon. They threatened the retired woman with immediate arrest. They also warned her that authorities would seize her property. To avoid these dire consequences, the fraudsters ordered her to transfer money for what they called 'RBI verification.'
Feeling frightened and pressured, the victim complied with their demands. On January 8, she transferred twenty lakh rupees to an account held at IndusInd Bank. The very next day, she sent another twenty-five lakh rupees to a different account at Yes Bank.
The scam unraveled on January 12. The fraudsters insisted on speaking directly with the woman's son. During this conversation, they reportedly informed him that his mother had been cheated. This shocking revelation made the entire family realize they had fallen victim to an elaborate fraud. They immediately approached the Hyderabad cybercrime police station to file a formal complaint.
Second Case: Retired Professor Defrauded of 15 Lakh
In a separate but similar incident, a seventy-three-year-old retired professor from Saidabad area lost a significant sum. His ordeal began on November 27 when he received a call from a man identifying himself as Inspector Gaurav Sarathi of the Bengaluru police.
The scam took a more visual turn for this victim. The fraudsters later initiated a video call with the professor. During this call, the individuals wore what appeared to be police uniforms. They strategically positioned themselves in front of a national flag to enhance their credibility. Their accusation was severe: they claimed the retired professor was involved in human trafficking.
To resolve this fabricated case, the callers said they needed to verify his bank balance. They directed him to transfer fifteen lakh rupees from his personal bank account to an Axis Bank account. This account was registered under the name of a travel agency. Believing the officials were genuine, the professor followed their instructions and transferred the money.
He realized the truth only recently. The fraudsters had promised to return the amount after their so-called verification process. When they failed to return the money as promised, the retired academic understood he had been cheated. He then reported the incident to the authorities.
Police Action and Legal Framework
Hyderabad cybercrime police have registered two distinct cases based on these complaints. Officers have invoked specific sections of the Information Technology Act to address the crimes. The cases fall under Sections 66C and 66D of the IT Act. Police are also applying relevant provisions from the new Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.
These incidents highlight a dangerous trend where criminals exploit the trust citizens place in law enforcement. They use sophisticated tactics, including fake video calls and official-looking documents, to appear legitimate. Senior citizens often become targets due to their possible lack of familiarity with digital fraud methods.
Authorities urge the public, especially elderly residents, to exercise extreme caution. They advise verifying the identity of any caller claiming to be a government or police official. Citizens should never transfer money or share personal financial details based on unsolicited calls or digital messages.
