Retired Official's Close Call with Rs 35 Lakh Cyber Scam in Lucknow
A retired official from the Lucknow Municipal Corporation (LMC) narrowly escaped a sophisticated cyber fraud attempt amounting to Rs 35 lakh on Sunday, February 6. The 72-year-old victim, Chhedi Lal Patel, has since issued a strong public appeal, particularly directed at senior citizens, urging them not to panic or submit to threatening tactics known as 'digital arrests.'
Bank Staff's Alert Intervention Prevents Major Financial Loss
The potentially devastating fraud was successfully thwarted thanks to the vigilant actions of officials at the Bank of Maharashtra's Lucknow zonal office. Patel had visited the branch for routine banking work when alert staff members noticed his visible anxiety during a prolonged phone call. They immediately stepped in to investigate, preventing any monetary transaction from occurring.
Speaking to Times of India two days after the harrowing incident, Patel detailed how the fraudsters meticulously exploited fear and pretended to wield official authority. "The caller claimed to be from a central investigative agency and informed me I was under digital arrest. Initially, I thought perhaps someone had misused my identity," Patel recounted. "They spoke with absolute confidence, used bureaucratic-sounding language, and kept me continuously engaged on the call."
Fraudsters Use Terror Allegations to Instill Fear
According to Patel's account, the scammers escalated their intimidation by accusing him of having links to terror-related activities. They falsely claimed that his Aadhaar details had surfaced during a national security investigation.
"I am over 72 years old and served with honesty throughout my career, from village postings to city assignments. There has never been an FIR registered against me. When they alleged I was connected to terrorism, my mind simply froze with fear," the retired official explained.
The fraudsters then increased pressure by switching to video calls, issuing strict instructions:
- Not to disconnect the call under any circumstances
- Not to step outside his residence
- Not to speak with anyone else about the situation
"Despite regularly reading about such scams in newspapers and watching advisory programs on television, when confronted directly, fear completely took over," Patel admitted, highlighting the psychological effectiveness of these schemes.
Critical Warning to Senior Citizens Nationwide
Patel emphasized that the situation could have had serious financial consequences without the bank employees' timely intervention. "The bank officials sensed that something was terribly wrong. They asked me to share the call details and immediately clarified that no legitimate government agency carries out arrests over phone or video calls. Their support and awareness saved me from a massive loss," he stated gratefully.
Based on his experience, Patel's urgent message to fellow senior citizens includes:
- Do not panic if contacted by someone claiming to be from an official agency
- Never comply with demands for 'digital arrest' procedures
- Immediately contact local police or your bank if you suspect fraudulent activity
- Remember that genuine authorities do not conduct arrests via telephone or video calls
This incident underscores the growing sophistication of cyber criminals targeting vulnerable demographics, particularly elderly individuals who may be less familiar with digital threats. It also highlights the crucial role that alert banking personnel and public awareness campaigns play in preventing financial fraud.
