Retired Army Subedar in Hisar Loses Rs 15.16 Lakh in Elaborate Cyber Fraud Scheme
In a distressing incident from Hisar, a 69-year-old retired Subedar residing in the Military Cantonment area has fallen victim to a sophisticated cyber fraud, allegedly losing Rs 15.16 lakh to scammers who promised to refund the balance of his matured insurance policy along with interest. The Cyber Police Station has registered a formal case and launched a thorough investigation into the matter, highlighting the growing threat of online financial scams targeting vulnerable individuals.
Details of the Insurance Policy and Initial Contact
According to the First Information Report (FIR), the victim, Karan Singh, had purchased a life insurance policy worth Rs 8 lakh from an insurance company back in 2010. This policy matured in 2020, but Singh reportedly received a lower payout than he had anticipated, leaving him dissatisfied and potentially more susceptible to fraudulent offers.
On September 22, 2025, the scam began when a woman identifying herself as Seema contacted Karan Singh. She claimed that a remaining amount from his insurance policy was still held by the company and could be released to him. Shortly after, a man named Rajiv Sharma, posing as a company agent, further manipulated Singh by informing him that the total payable amount, including accrued interest, amounted to Rs 13.28 lakh.
The Fraudulent Demands and Financial Transactions
However, Sharma insisted that certain fees had to be paid upfront to process the claim. Trusting these false assurances, Karan Singh proceeded to transfer money in multiple instalments to various bank accounts under different pretexts. The payments included:
- Rs 17,928 on October 17, 2025, labeled as a registration fee.
- Rs 44,980 on October 31, described as code generation charges.
- Rs 87,884 on November 7, cited as release charges.
In total, Singh allegedly transferred Rs 15,16,338 under categories such as audit charges, government fees, additional benefits, and other processing costs. To meet these demands, he reportedly used his personal savings and borrowed money from neighbours, demonstrating the severe financial strain inflicted by the fraudsters.
Discovery of the Scam and Police Action
Despite making repeated payments, Karan Singh never received the promised policy amount or any refund of his deposited money. Instead, the accused allegedly escalated their demands by asking for an additional Rs 5 lakh, further deepening the victim's distress.
The fraud was ultimately uncovered when Singh informed his younger son about the ongoing transactions. Suspecting cybercrime, the son promptly lodged a complaint on the National Cyber Crime Portal. Following preliminary verification, the police registered an FIR under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, marking a critical step in pursuing justice and preventing similar incidents.
This case serves as a stark reminder of the importance of vigilance against cyber fraud, especially for elderly individuals who may be targeted by scammers exploiting trust and financial vulnerabilities. Authorities urge the public to verify such claims through official channels and report any suspicious activities immediately.
