A 64-year-old retired official from the Uttar Haryana Bijli Vitran Nigam Limited (UHBVNL) has become the latest victim of a sophisticated cyber fraud scheme, losing a staggering sum of Rs 7.75 lakh to criminals impersonating Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and court authorities. The incident, reported from Panchkula, highlights the alarming tactics used by scammers to exploit fear and urgency.
The Sinister Video Call That Started It All
The retired superintendent, a resident of Panchkula, stated that the ordeal began on November 29. He received an unsolicited video call from an unknown number. On the other end, a woman was making obscene gestures in an attempt to provoke him. The man promptly disconnected the call and chose to ignore subsequent attempts to contact him, believing the matter to be over.
The Elaborate Trap: Threats from "CBI" and "Court Officials"
However, the situation escalated two days later, on December 1. The retiree received a WhatsApp call from a different number. This time, the caller boldly identified himself as a CBI officer. The fake officer alleged that a formal complaint had been lodged against the retiree by a woman for obscene acts, directly linking it to the earlier video call.
The imposter issued a severe threat, warning the man that he would be arrested within an hour due to an existing court order. To avoid immediate detention, the caller instructed him to contact a so-called "court official" to obtain a No Objection Certificate (NoC). Fearing social disgrace and legal trouble, the victim complied.
The Financial Drain Under Duress
The fraudsters, now acting in tandem as CBI and court authorities, convinced the complainant that the NoC required a processing fee. They assured him that the entire amount would be refunded once the certificate was issued. Operating under intense pressure and fear, the retiree made a series of payments to bank accounts provided by the accused.
The transactions unfolded as follows:
- An initial payment of Rs 25,500 via Paytm.
- A second transfer of Rs 50,000 through RTGS.
- A third hefty sum of Rs 2.5 lakh.
- A final massive payment of Rs 4.5 lakh.
The total loss amounted to Rs 7,75,500. It was only after he tried to contact the numbers again and found them switched off that the grim reality dawned upon him. He had been systematically duped.
Aftermath and Police Advisory
The victim subsequently lodged a formal complaint on the official cyber crime portal. Based on his complaint, the Panchkula police have registered a case under the relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).
Investigating authorities have reiterated a crucial public advisory to prevent such crimes. They emphasize that no legitimate law enforcement agency or court will ever demand money over phone calls or messaging platforms like WhatsApp to settle cases or issue certificates. Citizens are urged to remain extremely vigilant, verify the credentials of unknown callers through official channels, and never share personal or financial details under pressure.
