Wedding Joy Turns to Terror in Sophisticated Cyber Heist
What should have been a celebratory period leading up to his son's wedding turned into a nightmare for a 63-year-old retired resident of Navrangpura, Ahmedabad. The man fell victim to an intricately staged cyber fraud, losing a staggering Rs 7.14 lakh to impersonators claiming to be from various government authorities.
The Elaborate Web of Deception
The ordeal began on October 29 when the retiree received a WhatsApp call from an unknown number. The caller, pretending to be from a telecom customer care department, warned that his mobile number would be blocked for allegedly sending obscene photos and child pornography. This initial contact sparked panic, setting the stage for a carefully orchestrated manipulation.
The scam quickly escalated when the first caller merged him into another call with a woman posing as a TRAI officer. She leveled serious accusations of money laundering and child pornography against the frightened senior. Despite his repeated protests of innocence, the callers used fear and intimidation to maintain control.
Moments later, the fraud reached a new level of sophistication when a man identifying himself as Shankar Patil of the Mumbai police appeared on video call. Wearing a police uniform and seated beside a board marked Mumbai Crime Branch, he accused the retiree of involvement in a massive Rs 126-crore scam and opening fraudulent bank accounts across multiple states using his Aadhaar card.
The Psychological Manipulation Intensifies
The deception continued with another impersonator, this time dressed as a senior IPS officer, who linked the victim to additional fictitious crimes including money laundering and organ trafficking. The fraudsters warned that an arrest warrant could be issued at any moment, specifically targeting the man's fear of being arrested just before his son's wedding.
The scammers issued strict instructions: he was not to speak to anyone, had to sit in a separate closed room, and must follow all instructions to avoid immediate arrest. This isolation tactic prevented him from seeking help or verification from family members.
A third impersonator entered the scene, calling himself Suresh Anurag from the Reserve Bank of India (RBI). This fake official directed the victim to liquidate his fixed deposits and transfer the money for verification purposes. Between October 30 and November 14, the complainant made multiple RTGS and UPI transfers totaling Rs 7.14 lakh to the fraudsters.
The Aftermath and Police Action
The criminal gang maintained control by demanding frequent online attendance and warning that his case was heading to court. The scheme finally unraveled when the scammers pushed for more money and the victim refused, citing wedding expenses. Only after the wedding celebrations concluded did he reveal the entire ordeal to his family, who immediately recognized it as a scam.
The family contacted the cybercrime helpline, which confirmed the fraud. On Thursday, the victim filed a formal FIR with the cybercrime police. The authorities have registered offences including cheating, extortion, impersonation, criminal conspiracy, breach of trust, and violations under the IT Act.
This case highlights the increasing sophistication of cyber criminals who use psychological manipulation and impersonation of trusted authorities to exploit vulnerable citizens, particularly during emotionally significant life events.
