In a distressing incident that highlights the growing sophistication of cyber criminals in India, a resident of Yamunanagar district in Haryana fell victim to an elaborate online scam, losing a staggering Rs 5,78,500 from his bank account. The cyber fraudsters executed a multi-layered deception that spanned several hours, leaving the victim financially devastated and emotionally traumatized.
The Elaborate Scam Unfolds
The unfortunate sequence of events began when the victim received a phone call from individuals claiming to be officials from the international courier company FedEx. The impostors informed him that a parcel containing his Aadhaar card, three passports, and 150 grams of marijuana had been intercepted by authorities while being shipped to Taiwan.
To add credibility to their story, the fraudsters then connected the victim with someone posing as a senior police inspector from the Mumbai Crime Branch. This individual, identifying himself as Inspector Ramesh Kumar, further convinced the victim of his involvement in illegal activities and the seriousness of the situation.
How The Money Was Extracted
Under the guise of conducting a thorough investigation, the fake police official manipulated the victim into downloading a screen-sharing application called AnyDesk on his mobile phone. The criminal then used this access to remotely control the victim's device and monitor his banking activities.
Over the course of the elaborate scam, the fraudster transferred significant amounts from the victim's bank account to multiple digital wallets and payment platforms. The transactions were cleverly disguised as necessary investigative procedures, with the criminal assuring the victim that the money would be refunded once his innocence was established.
It was only after the entire amount of Rs 5,78,500 had been drained from his account that the victim realized he had been systematically cheated. The realization came too late, as the cyber criminals had already disappeared with his hard-earned money.
Official Response and Investigation
The victim promptly approached the local authorities, filing a formal complaint at the Yamunanagar police station. Law enforcement officials have registered a case and initiated a comprehensive investigation into the matter.
Police sources indicate that this scam follows a familiar pattern seen in recent cyber crimes across North India. The criminals typically use fear tactics and impersonation of authority figures to manipulate victims into granting remote access to their devices and financial accounts.
Authorities have warned citizens to be extremely cautious of unsolicited calls claiming to be from courier companies, law enforcement agencies, or banking institutions. They emphasize that legitimate officials never demand remote access to personal devices or request transfers to personal accounts for investigative purposes.
This incident serves as a stark reminder of the sophisticated methods employed by cyber criminals and the importance of digital vigilance in today's increasingly connected world.
