In a shocking series of cyber crimes, fraudsters impersonating high-ranking law enforcement officials have swindled two senior citizens in Hyderabad of a staggering sum exceeding ₹2.2 crore. The elaborate con involved threats of 'digital arrest' in fabricated cases of human trafficking and terrorism, preying on the victims' fear and respect for authority.
The Mokila Businessman's ₹1.82 Crore Nightmare
The first victim, a 60-year-old businessman from Mokila, received a deceptive call on November 27. The caller falsely identified himself as an employee of the Indian Cybercrime Coordination Centre (I4C) in Bengaluru. He accused the senior citizen of sending obscene messages from a SIM card registered in his name, leading to a harassment case in Bengaluru.
The scam then escalated as the caller connected the victim to a network of impersonators. These included fraudsters posing as Bengaluru police officer Tirumala Rama Rao, police control room staffer Shiva Prasad, and CBI officer Daya Naik. They weaved a complex story, convincing the elderly man that he was a suspect in an international human trafficking and money-laundering case.
To intensify the intimidation, the criminals forced the victim into a video call, threatening him with a 90-day 'digital arrest'. They falsely claimed the Supreme Court was supervising the matter. Under this immense psychological pressure, the victim divulged personal information and, following their instructions, transferred funds to multiple bank accounts under the guise of RBI verification for international transactions.
Between November 28 and December 1, the businessman transferred a colossal ₹1.82 crore. The reality of the fraud dawned on him only when the callers ceased all communication. He subsequently approached the Cyberabad police on December 3 to file a complaint.
The Somajiguda Retiree's ₹39.3 Lakh Loss
In a parallel and similarly orchestrated scam, a 74-year-old resident of Somajiguda was defrauded of over ₹39.3 lakh. This scheme began with a call on November 21 from a man claiming to be Raj Sharma, a 'senior executive officer' of the non-existent 'Data Protection Board of India'.
The retiree was falsely accused of involvement in terrorist activities. The call was then transferred to another impersonator, Sandeep Rao, who posed as a 'sub-inspector' from Mumbai's Colaba police station. A woman named Kavitha also joined the charade, acting as a senior police officer.
This group used fabricated documents, including a fake FIR, and threats of arrest warrants to coerce the victim. Paralyzed by fear, he transferred funds for the same purported RBI verification process. The fraudsters' greed, however, led to their undoing. When they demanded an additional ₹10 lakh on December 3, after already receiving ₹39.3 lakh, the victim grew suspicious and finally approached the Hyderabad cybercrime police.
Police Action and Rising Threat of Digital Impersonation
Following the detailed complaints from both victims, law enforcement agencies have sprung into action. Cyberabad and Hyderabad cybercrime police registered separate cases on December 3. The cases have been filed under relevant sections of the new Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and the Information Technology Act.
These incidents highlight a dangerous new trend where cyber criminals are exploiting the names of premier investigative agencies like the CBI and national bodies like the I4C to lend credibility to their scams. The tactic of 'digital arrest'—using video calls to simulate police custody—adds a terrifyingly realistic dimension to the fraud, making it highly effective against vulnerable targets like senior citizens.
Authorities urge the public, especially the elderly, to be extremely cautious. They emphasize that no legitimate law enforcement or government agency will ever demand money for 'verification' or threaten immediate arrest over the phone. Any such call should be treated as fraudulent, and the matter should be reported immediately to the cybercrime helpline or the local police station.
