In a shocking case that underscores the brazenness of cybercriminals, a 73-year-old retired government officer in Lucknow was defrauded of nearly Rs 90 lakh. The elaborate scam involved the victim being held under a state of psychological captivity and a so-called "digital arrest" for 25 days, even as the Uttar Pradesh Police continues its awareness drive against such crimes.
The Elaborate Web of Deception
The incident, which came to light on Thursday night, December 25, began on December 1. The victim, a retired officer from the state finance department residing in LDA colony, received a video call from individuals posing as officials from the Mumbai cybercrime cell. The fraudsters falsely accused him of involvement in a serious money laundering case.
To lend credibility to their threat, the impostors sent a forged court warrant via WhatsApp. They warned the elderly man that a non-bailable arrest warrant had been issued against him and that both he and his family members could face imprisonment if he failed to cooperate. Using sophisticated legal jargon, they instilled deep fear, informing him he was under "digital arrest" and must remain confined to his home while their fabricated investigation was ongoing.
Psychological Captivity and Financial Drain
Under constant fear and relentless monitoring through repeated video and phone calls, the retired officer complied with the fraudsters' demands. They extracted complete details of his bank accounts, fixed deposits, and other financial assets. Claiming the funds needed verification as part of the probe, they instructed him to transfer nearly Rs 1 crore to specified accounts, with a false assurance of returning the money once he was "cleared."
Terrified and isolated, the victim did not share his ordeal with any family member during the entire 25-day period. He proceeded to transfer approximately Rs 90 lakh using UPI, RTGS, and by prematurely breaking his fixed deposits, draining his life's savings.
Discovery and Police Investigation
The scam unraveled on Christmas Day when the victim's son, who works in Bengaluru, noticed his father speaking nervously on the phone and exhibiting unusual anxiety. After persistent questioning that evening, the retired officer finally revealed the harrowing episode to his family.
Upon registering a complaint, Lucknow cyber police inspector Brajesh Kumar Yadav investigated the case. Preliminary findings revealed that the defrauded sum was transferred to multiple bank accounts across different Indian states, a common tactic used by cybercrime networks to obscure the money trail. This case highlights a grim paradox where awareness campaigns are running alongside increasingly audacious frauds targeting vulnerable seniors.
The key takeaways from this incident are stark:
- Cybercriminals are using sophisticated fear tactics like "digital arrest" to paralyze victims.
- Official agencies never demand money transfers for "verification" or over video calls.
- It is crucial to immediately verify any such claims with local police and confide in family members.
This case serves as a critical reminder for the public, especially senior citizens, to remain vigilant against such digitally orchestrated threats, no matter how convincing they may appear.
