Senior Advocate Takes Extreme Step After Terrifying Cyber Fraud Call
In a tragic incident that highlights the growing menace of cyber crime in India, a 68-year-old senior advocate from Bhopal died by suicide on Monday night after receiving threatening phone calls from cyber fraudsters. The criminals allegedly accused him of using his bank account to fund terrorist activities, pushing the respected lawyer to take the extreme step.
Shivkumar Verma, a resident of Barkhedi in Jehangirabad area, was found hanging in his room by tenants after his wife grew concerned about not being able to reach him. The incident occurred around 10:30 PM when the tenant discovered the door locked from inside and saw the advocate through the window.
Suicide Note Reveals Fear of Being Branded a Traitor
Police recovered a handwritten suicide note from Verma's room that revealed the depth of his distress. In the note, he explicitly stated that someone had linked his name to a fake bank account allegedly used to fund a terrorist based in Pahalgam.
"I will not be able to bear the stigma of being labelled a traitor," the note read, according to police officials. The advocate also expressed his love for his children, asking them to stay happy and praying to Lord Bholenath for their well-being.
Verma's suicide note also highlighted his significant contributions to society. He mentioned that during the Bhopal Gas Tragedy, he had performed the last rites of hundreds of victims. In recognition of this service, the then chief minister had provided him with an ambulance. He further noted that he had donated blood nearly 50 times to save hospital patients.
Digital Arrest Fraud Modus Operandi Suspected
According to SHO Choudhary, police suspect that the threatening phone call was made by cyber-criminals using the 'digital arrest' fraud technique. This modus operandi involves criminals posing as law enforcement officials and making false accusations to extort money from victims.
"Police believe Shivkumar may have panicked before any monetary fraud occurred, leading him to take the extreme step," officials stated. The police have registered a case and started investigations into the matter.
The incident bears striking resemblance to another case reported last week where a 67-year-old retired nationalised bank manager and his wife were kept under 'digital arrest' and defrauded of Rs 67.5 lakh. In that case, cyber-criminals posing as Bhopal police officers accused the couple of links to terrorists involved in the recent Delhi blast.
The criminals claimed that Rs 7 crore was routed to terror accounts, with Rs 70 lakh allegedly transferred through the retired banker's account. The terrified couple was kept under digital arrest for nearly 24 hours and compelled to transfer their entire savings into the bank account of a Chennai-based firm.
Their son later approached the State Cyber Crime Headquarters, which managed to freeze Rs 5 lakh from the accused's account. A case based on the complaint filed by the retired banker's wife has been transferred to the Cyber Crime Branch in Bhopal.
Verma is survived by his wife, who was in Delhi for medical treatment at the time of the incident, and two children who are settled in Pune and Delhi respectively. The body was sent for post-mortem following the initial inquiry, and police continue to investigate the cyber fraud angle that led to this tragic outcome.
