In a shocking incident of cyber fraud, a retired Bengaluru resident was cheated of Rs 5.36 lakh by scammers who impersonated the former chairman of the State Bank of India (SBI). The fraudsters contacted the victim through Facebook, luring him with promises of lucrative business investment opportunities.
How the Scam Unfolded
The victim, a 68-year-old retiree residing in the southern part of Bengaluru, received a friend request on Facebook from a profile using the name and photograph of the former SBI chief. After the victim accepted the request, the scammer began a conversation, gradually building trust. The impersonator claimed to be involved in high-return business ventures and offered the retiree a chance to invest.
Over several weeks, the scammer convinced the victim to transfer funds to multiple bank accounts for purported investment purposes. The retiree, believing he was dealing with a reputable figure, made several transactions totaling Rs 5.36 lakh. It was only when the scammer stopped responding that the victim realized he had been duped.
Police Investigation Underway
The victim filed a complaint with the Bengaluru Cyber Crime Police, who have launched an investigation. Preliminary inquiries suggest that the scammers used a fake Facebook profile with stolen images of the former SBI chairman. The police are tracking the financial transactions and the IP addresses used to create the fraudulent account.
Authorities have urged citizens to be cautious of unsolicited investment offers on social media, especially those involving high returns. They advise verifying the identity of individuals through official channels before transferring money.
Rise in Impersonation Scams
This case highlights a growing trend of impersonation scams targeting elderly individuals. Cybercriminals often exploit the credibility of well-known figures to deceive victims. The Bengaluru police have recorded a spike in such frauds, with losses running into crores.
- Never share personal or financial details with unknown persons online.
- Cross-check investment opportunities with registered financial advisors.
- Report suspicious profiles and messages to social media platforms.
The former SBI chairman has not commented on the incident. The investigation is ongoing, and the police are hopeful of apprehending the culprits soon.
