In a disturbing new trend emerging from the ongoing Red Fort explosion investigation, cyber criminals in Ludhiana have begun weaponizing national security concerns to execute sophisticated phishing operations. The city's own businessman and road safety advocate Rahul Verma recently found himself at the center of such an attempt when fraudsters posing as Delhi Anti-Terrorist Squad officers tried to extract his sensitive personal information.
The Elaborate Phone Fraud
Rahul Verma received an unexpected call from an unknown number, with the caller boldly identifying himself as an official from the Delhi Anti-Terrorist Squad. In a calculated move to create panic, the imposter directly accused Verma of involvement in terror networks currently under investigation by the National Investigation Agency.
The fraudster specifically claimed that Verma had received ₹5 lakh for passing secret military and media information to agents in Pakistan. This elaborate story was designed to shock and intimidate the potential victim into compliance.
How the Scam Unfolded
The fake ATS officer demanded that Verma immediately provide his Aadhaar Card number and complete bank details to supposedly clear his name through a transaction verification process. When Verma showed hesitation, the caller escalated the intimidation by threatening that their men were actively monitoring his movements.
Unlike many who might succumb to such pressure, Verma recognized the red flags and challenged the caller's authenticity. He questioned why he was being warned over the phone instead of being formally arrested if he was genuinely a suspect in such a serious national security matter. The conversation turned confrontational and eventually ended after heated arguments.
In a curious follow-up, when Verma attempted to call back the number, the person who answered denied having made any such call, confirming the fraudulent nature of the initial contact.
Police Response and Public Warning
Verma promptly reported the incident to Ludhiana Police Commissioner Swapan Sharma, who confirmed that the matter is now under active investigation. Police authorities suspect that cyber criminals are exploiting the high-profile Red Fort blast case as a new method to target potential victims.
Commissioner Sharma issued a crucial public warning, emphasizing that legitimate investigating agencies, particularly those handling serious national security cases, will never contact individuals by phone to request sensitive personal data like bank account details or Aadhaar numbers.
This incident comes at a time when the NIA continues to conduct nationwide raids and question suspects in connection with the Delhi Red Fort explosion, creating an environment that fraudsters are attempting to exploit.
The police have urged citizens to remain extremely vigilant against such sophisticated social engineering attacks and to verify the credentials of anyone claiming to be from law enforcement agencies before sharing any personal information.
