An 80-year-old retired professor from Khargone district in Madhya Pradesh has fallen victim to a sophisticated cyber fraud scheme, losing a staggering Rs 10 lakh. The incident, which has sent shockwaves through the local community, involved fraudsters impersonating National Investigation Agency (NIA) officials and placing the elderly man under what is being termed a 'digital arrest'.
The Deceptive Call and Fake Terror Allegations
The ordeal began on January 10 when Shashikant Kulkarni, a retired head of the mechanical department at a polytechnic college, received a WhatsApp call. The caller boldly identified himself as an NIA inspector. In a chilling accusation, the fraudster claimed that terrorists had transferred a massive sum of Rs 7 crore into a bank account allegedly opened using Kulkarni's Aadhaar details.
To add credibility to their threats, the scammers sent a fabricated arrest warrant directly via WhatsApp. They then demanded that Kulkarni travel to Delhi immediately for clarification on the serious allegations. Throughout this harrowing experience, the fraudsters insisted he keep his phone switched on at all times, effectively placing him under constant surveillance—a tactic now known as 'digital arrest'.
Pressure and the Financial Transfer
Citing his advanced age and physical limitations, Kulkarni expressed his inability to undertake the long journey to Delhi. Seizing on this vulnerability, the impersonators intensified their pressure. They coerced the retired professor into transferring Rs 10 lakh via Real Time Gross Settlement (RTGS) on January 12.
The fraudulent activity spanned from January 10 to January 12, according to police reports. It was only during the bank transaction that suspicions were raised. Alert bank staff noticed irregularities and promptly warned Kulkarni about the potential scam.
Discovery and Police Action
Following the bank's alert, Kulkarni immediately contacted his son who resides in Indore. His son took swift action by verifying the facts with the actual NIA authorities, confirming the impersonation. Acting on this verification, he advised his father to file a formal complaint.
On January 15, a First Information Report (FIR) was officially registered based on Kulkarni's complaint. Additional Superintendent of Police Shakuntala Ruhal confirmed the details of the case to media outlets. She stated that specialized police teams have been formed to investigate this sophisticated cyber crime thoroughly.
The Khargone police are now actively pursuing all leads to identify and apprehend the fraudsters. This case highlights the growing threat of cyber crimes targeting elderly citizens, particularly through impersonation of authoritative agencies. Authorities urge the public to remain vigilant and verify any unusual demands from individuals claiming to represent government bodies.
