A 52-year-old woman from Coimbatore has become the latest victim of a sophisticated online scam, losing a staggering ₹24 lakh to a fraudster who cleverly impersonated a police official. The elaborate digital con, which unfolded over several days, serves as a stark warning about the evolving tactics of cyber criminals in today's digital landscape.
The Elaborate Scam Unfolds
The nightmare began when the woman, a private company professional, received a concerning phone call from someone claiming to be a courier company representative. The caller informed her that a package containing her Aadhaar card had been intercepted by Mumbai customs officials, setting the stage for what would become a devastating financial loss.
The fraudster then escalated the scheme by transferring the call to another individual posing as a Mumbai police officer. This fake officer delivered alarming news - multiple bank accounts and SIM cards had been registered in her name, and she was now facing serious criminal charges.
How the Fraudster Gained Control
In a clever manipulation tactic, the imposter convinced the woman to download a screen-sharing application under the guise of "verifying her bank accounts." This critical mistake gave the scammer complete visibility into her financial transactions and personal banking information.
The situation rapidly deteriorated when the fraudster instructed her to transfer her savings to a "secure government account" for protection during the supposed investigation. Trusting the authority figure she believed was helping her, the woman complied without hesitation.
The Devastating Financial Impact
Over the following days, the woman transferred multiple amounts totaling ₹24 lakh from her savings and fixed deposit accounts. The scale of the financial loss only became apparent when she realized the money had vanished into fraudulent accounts rather than the promised government protection fund.
The Coimbatore police cyber crime unit has registered a case and launched a comprehensive investigation into the sophisticated scam. Authorities are working to trace the digital footprint and recover the stolen funds.
Protecting Yourself from Similar Scams
- Never share banking credentials or personal information with unsolicited callers
- Avoid downloading screen-sharing apps at the request of unknown individuals
- Verify official communications directly with concerned departments through official channels
- Remember that legitimate officials will never demand immediate money transfers
- Enable two-factor authentication on all financial accounts for added security
This incident highlights the increasingly sophisticated methods employed by cyber criminals and underscores the critical need for digital literacy and caution when dealing with unsolicited communications claiming to be from government or law enforcement agencies.
