Chandigarh Resident Defrauded of Over Rs 6 Lakh in Elaborate Online Government Official Impersonation Scam
Cyber police in Chandigarh have registered a case and launched a detailed investigation after a city resident was allegedly duped of more than Rs 6 lakh by online fraudsters posing as government officials. The sophisticated scam involved multiple agencies and fake documentation to convince the victim.
How the Elaborate Scam Unfolded
The complainant, Rajiv Kapoor, a resident of Sector 37C in Chandigarh, reported that on March 9, he received a call from a person identifying himself as an official associated with both the finance ministry and the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDA). The caller informed Kapoor that his complaint regarding an insurance policy had reached the ministry and that he would receive a substantial refund of approximately Rs 53 lakh.
However, the fraudster explained that processing charges needed to be paid first. To establish credibility, the con artists sent fake IDs and documents via WhatsApp, purportedly proving their government affiliations.
Multiple Agency Impersonations and Financial Transactions
Over the following days, the fraudsters called from different phone numbers, now claiming to be associated with the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) and the Income Tax Department (IRS). They continued to demand money under various pretexts, including case processing fees and refund release charges.
Between March 10 and March 18, Kapoor transferred over Rs 6 lakh from his accounts to the fraudsters. The scammers further bolstered their deception by sending additional fabricated documents, including:
- An SBI demand draft
- Fake certificates in the name of IRDA and RBI
- Fraudulent transfer receipts
Victim's Response and Police Action
The victim first complained to his bank's customer care on March 19 and subsequently registered the matter on the official cyber crime portal on March 21. Following these reports, the cyber crime police station registered a formal case on April 9 under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).
No arrests have been made so far as investigations continue. This case highlights the growing sophistication of online fraud schemes that exploit trust in government institutions to defraud citizens.
