A loco pilot working with the Indian Railways in Bathinda has become the latest victim of a sophisticated digital arrest scam, losing a staggering sum of Rs 24 lakh to cyber criminals impersonating government and police officials. The incident highlights the alarming rise of such elaborate online frauds targeting citizens across India.
The Elaborate Con: From Telecom Official to IPS Officer
The ordeal for the victim, identified as Rakesh Kumar Maurya (43), began on October 16. A woman claiming to be an official from the Ministry of Telecommunications called him, alleging that illegal messages were being sent from a mobile number linked to his Aadhaar card. This initial contact set the stage for a multi-layered deception.
Maurya, who originally hails from Uttar Pradesh but resides in Bathinda for his job, was then connected to a man posing as IPS officer Vijay Kumar from the Delhi Cyber Cell. To add credibility, the fraudster conducted a video call while wearing a police uniform. He presented a terrifying scenario to the loco pilot, informing him that 24 FIRs had been registered against his name.
The accusations were severe. The fake officials claimed a transaction of Rs 3 crore was linked to Maurya's Aadhaar card. Furthermore, they alleged that an ATM card in his name was recovered from a suspect recently arrested for women trafficking, and that Maurya had received a 10% commission on illegal transactions, implicating him in money laundering.
The Digital Arrest and Financial Coercion
Under the guise of a so-called digital arrest, Maurya was instructed to remain isolated and communicate solely through the encrypted messaging app, Signal. This tactic, common in such scams, isolates the victim from family and friends who might offer advice or suspect the fraud.
The pressure intensified on October 25. A woman identifying herself as Kirti Sanyal informed Maurya that arrest warrants had been issued against him. She presented a way out: depositing Rs 30 lakh to halt all legal proceedings. Fearing imprisonment and social ruin, Maurya, who did not have the funds, was coerced into taking a loan of Rs 24 lakh from the State Bank of India.
On October 27, following the fraudsters' instructions, he transferred the entire loan amount via RTGS to a bank account provided by the suspects. The scam only came to light when the criminals, emboldened by their success, demanded an additional Rs 30 lakh the very next day, prompting Maurya to finally approach the real police.
Police Investigation and Legal Action
Bathinda Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Amneet Kondal confirmed that a case has been registered against unidentified persons under the new Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). The charges include sections for cheating, cheating by personation, forgery, and criminal intimidation.
"Further investigations are being made to trace the money trail," stated SSP Kondal. The police are now working to track the digital footprints and financial transactions to identify the gang behind this cruel con.
This case serves as a stark warning about the evolving tactics of cyber fraudsters who exploit trust in government institutions and the fear of legal action. Authorities advise citizens to be extremely wary of unsolicited calls alleging legal trouble, to never share personal or financial details, and to verify any such claims directly with local police stations, not through callers who initiate contact.
