In a shocking case of cyber fraud from Lucknow, a 78-year-old retired professor was held under a terrifying 'digital arrest' for nearly two weeks by criminals impersonating Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) officers. The scammers systematically siphoned off a staggering Rs 92 lakh from the senior citizen by threatening him with imprisonment in a fabricated money laundering case.
The Deceptive Video Call That Started the Nightmare
The victim, identified as Jayant Kumar Singh, a resident of Rishita Apartments in Gomtinagar extension, received the fateful call on December 19. An unknown number initiated a video call where the caller boldly introduced himself as a CBI officer. The fraudster falsely claimed that Singh's Aadhaar details had been misused in a money laundering case registered in Mumbai.
To lend credibility to their threat and instill maximum fear, the criminals sent a forged court warrant to the professor via WhatsApp. They warned him of immediate arrest and jail time if he did not comply with their instructions.
Exploiting Age and Fear: The 15-Day 'Digital Arrest'
Exploiting his advanced age, the callers offered a twisted assurance. They told Singh that, being a senior citizen, he would not be physically arrested. However, they imposed a strict condition: he was not to speak to anyone—including family—during the so-called 'investigation'. This effectively placed him under a state of digital house arrest, isolated and terrified.
Over the next 15 days, the fraudsters repeatedly instructed the retired professor to transfer large sums of money to multiple bank accounts. They presented this as a necessary process for 'verification', promising him a clean chit and a full refund once the process was complete. Blinded by the fear of arrest and disgrace, Singh complied.
The Huge Financial Loss and Police Action
By January 2, the victim had transferred a total of Rs 92 lakh to the accounts specified by the impostors. The scam only unraveled when the criminals, emboldened by their success, made further monetary demands. At this point, a suspicious Singh finally disconnected the calls, broke his silence, and informed his family, realizing he had been cheated.
The victim subsequently lodged a formal First Information Report (FIR) at the cybercrime police station in Lucknow. The police have registered a case and launched a detailed investigation into the sophisticated scam.
Authorities have issued a crucial advisory, urging citizens to be extremely vigilant. They emphasize that no legitimate law enforcement agency will ever demand money over the phone for verification or case resolution. The public is advised to report any such suspicious calls immediately on the national cybercrime helpline 1930 or via the official cybercrime portal.
