Elderly CA Duped of Rs 1.5 Crore in Sophisticated Cyber Fraud
In a shocking case that highlights the growing sophistication of cyber criminals, a 68-year-old chartered accountant from Bhubaneswar was swindled of approximately Rs 1.5 crore after being placed under what police term as 'digital arrest' for ten consecutive days. The elaborate scam occurred even as the Odisha police were running a month-long statewide cyber awareness campaign that began on October 18.
The Elaborate Deception Unfolds
The victim's nightmare began last month when he received a WhatsApp call from individuals pretending to be officers from central law enforcement agencies, including the Customs Department, Enforcement Directorate (ED), and the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). Using psychological manipulation, the fraudsters convinced the experienced CA that his Aadhaar card had been misused in serious money-laundering operations, and a fictitious First Information Report (FIR) had been registered against him.
"During this period, they made repeated WhatsApp video calls, pressuring him to transfer substantial sums of money for an alleged official pardon or bailout," explained a police officer involved in the case. "Armed with sophisticated AI tools, the callers displayed fake courtrooms and police stations during these video calls, creating a highly convincing illusion until their target surrendered emotionally."
Ten Days of Digital Captivity
The criminals effectively placed the senior citizen under digital arrest for 10 days by threatening him with legal proceedings and coercing him into isolation. They instructed him to remain at home and avoid any communication with family members or friends, effectively cutting him off from potential sources of advice or help that might have exposed the scam earlier.
Under the pretext of verification by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), the victim was manipulated into sharing detailed bank statements. The fraudsters further sweetened their deception by assuring him of a full refund of his money if he was acquitted after the completion of a supposed trial. Over the course of his digital captivity, the victim transferred the massive amount of Rs 1.5 crore in different instalments to multiple bank accounts specified by the criminals.
Discovery and Investigation
Police sources revealed that the victim's family remained completely unaware of the ongoing situation until a relative noticed his unusual behavior and persistent distress. Upon inquiry, the truth emerged, and the victim filed a formal complaint with the cyber police station under the state crime branch in Cuttack on Friday.
"We have launched a comprehensive investigation, tracking digital footprints and banking transactions to trace the culprits," stated a police officer. The officer expressed deep concern about the persistent threat of such cyber scams, despite regular awareness campaigns and warnings issued by the RBI, banks, and various law enforcement agencies.
This distressing incident coincides with the Supreme Court expressing serious concern on November 3 over the alarming nationwide rise in 'digital arrest' scams. The Court was informed by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) and CBI that these sophisticated frauds have already defrauded victims, predominantly elderly citizens, of over Rs 3,000 crore across the country. Authorities revealed that these scams are often orchestrated by trafficked Indian youth who are forced into participating in fraudulent activities from foreign countries under duress, with their passports confiscated by their exploiters.
