In a shocking case of cybercrime, a respected 63-year-old surgeon from Assam, known for his lifelong dedication to treating impoverished patients, has been defrauded of his entire life savings amounting to Rs 49 lakh. The victim, Dr Sadagar Deuri, a professor of surgery at Jorhat Medical College and Hospital (JMCH), fell prey to an elaborate "digital arrest" scam orchestrated by criminals impersonating law enforcement officials.
The Anatomy of a Sophisticated Fraud
The ordeal began on November 19 when Dr Deuri received a WhatsApp video call from an unknown number (8018621096). The caller, identifying himself as Sub-Inspector Shivaprasad of Bengaluru Police, levelled serious accusations against the doctor. He claimed Dr Deuri was implicated in 17 criminal cases related to obscene content.
When the doctor refused demands to travel to Bengaluru, the fraudsters escalated their intimidation. They invoked the name of the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and displayed his Aadhaar details on screen to appear legitimate. They fabricated a story that he had sold his ATM card during a financial crisis, leading to Rs 3 crore in fraudulent transactions via 150 ATM withdrawals.
Sustained Psychological Pressure and Coercion
The perpetrators subjected Dr Deuri to relentless psychological pressure. They forced him to remain on continuous video calls under the guise of an ongoing investigation, effectively placing him under a state of "digital arrest." Citing provisions of the National Security Act, they forbade him from disclosing the matter to anyone.
The scammers demanded extensive personal information, including:
- Detailed property documents
- Videos of his residence
- Regular location updates
To bolster their fabricated case, they sent forged documents, including fake FIR copies and fraudulent Supreme Court notifications. Under this cloud of fear and intimidation, Dr Deuri was coerced into transferring funds as a "security deposit" that was promised to be returned.
The Devastating Financial Loss and Police Action
Between November 24 and December 20, the doctor made five separate bank transfers, draining his life savings. The transactions were:
- November 24: Rs 25 lakh
- Subsequent transfers leading to a final payment on December 20: Rs 5 lakh
- Total Loss: Rs 49 lakh
Dr Deuri, who lives a modest life in a small rented room and is affectionately called "Dukhiyar Bandhu" (Friend of the Poor) for often using his own money to treat needy patients, lost everything he had saved.
Upon realizing he was a victim of a well-orchestrated scheme involving spoofed numbers and fake legal threats, he filed a formal complaint with the Jorhat Senior Superintendent of Police on December 26.
Jorhat SSP Subhrajyoti Borah confirmed that the police cyber cell has launched an intensive investigation. "We are working to trace the money trail and coordinate with banks to freeze the beneficiary accounts," Borah stated.
This case highlights the alarming rise of sophisticated cyber frauds targeting citizens across India, exploiting trust in authority and the fear of legal repercussions.
