Coimbatore Cyber Crime Police Crack Down on Online Fraudsters with Five FIRs
The Coimbatore city cyber crime police have taken decisive action by registering five First Information Reports (FIRs) against online fraudsters on Tuesday. These cases involve allegations of cheating five individuals, resulting in a staggering cumulative loss of more than Rs 1.15 crore. The incidents highlight a growing trend of sophisticated cyber scams targeting vulnerable citizens in the region.
Elderly Victims Targeted in Impersonation Scams
In one distressing case, a 69-year-old retired government employee was duped of Rs 19 lakh. The fraud began on January 13 when she received a video call from a stranger claiming her name was linked to a Rs 206 crore scam. To verify her bank transactions, she was coerced into sharing all her bank account details and passwords. The scammers escalated the intimidation by having one person impersonate a CBI officer during a video call, threatening her with a digital arrest. After she complied, the cyber criminals swiftly withdrew Rs 19 lakh from her account. The victim reported the incident to the city cybercrime police, who issued a Community Service Register (CSR) in January and formally registered an FIR on Tuesday.
Similarly, Dr. Rangaraj, an 80-year-old resident of Chetty Street in Coimbatore, fell victim to a similar scheme, losing Rs 31.55 lakh. On January 17, cyber fraudsters contacted him by phone, falsely alleging his involvement in a scam and warning of an impending digital arrest. Through manipulation, they managed to siphon off the substantial amount from his bank account.
Fake Trading Apps and Job Scams on Telegram
Another victim, Vijaygopal, a 63-year-old retired private bank employee from Podanur, was cheated of Rs 47.10 lakh through deceptive online trading platforms. His mobile number was added to two WhatsApp groups, where he was persuaded to download mobile applications named Polen and Mibafss for online trading. After investing the amount, the digital wallet within these apps displayed a balance of over Rs 1 crore, creating an illusion of profit. However, in December 2025, when he attempted to withdraw the funds, he discovered the apps were fraudulent, leaving him with significant financial losses.
The scams extended to younger demographics as well. Mariammal, a 29-year-old from Kovaipudur, searched for a part-time job on the Telegram app in December 2025. She was contacted by a stranger who assigned her tasks such as reviewing YouTube videos, offering minimal payments initially. Later, she was lured into investing Rs 6.89 lakh with promises of huge returns, only to be cheated out of the money.
In a parallel case, Radha Bharathi, a 35-year-old from Ondipudur, lost Rs 10.52 lakh after seeking part-time work on Telegram. She was asked to post reviews on YouTube videos and later coerced into investing a large sum, which the cyber fraudsters misappropriated.
Police Response and Ongoing Investigations
The Coimbatore cyber crime police have been proactive in addressing these incidents, with the registration of FIRs marking a critical step in the investigation process. Authorities are urging the public to remain vigilant against such online threats, emphasizing the importance of verifying sources and avoiding sharing sensitive information with unknown parties. The cases underscore the need for enhanced cybersecurity awareness and stricter enforcement to combat the rising tide of digital fraud in urban areas like Coimbatore.
