Prayagraj: An elderly couple from Mumfordganj, Prayagraj, became the latest victims of an elaborate cyber-fraud in which scammers impersonating Maharashtra Police officials kept them under a so-called “digital arrest” for four days and extracted ₹12.20 lakh from them.
The city’s Cyber Crime police have lodged an FIR and begun an investigation.
According to the complaint filed by the retired government employee, the ordeal began on 14 November, around 6:30 pm, when he received a call from an unknown number.
The caller introduced himself as Rajiv Sinha, claiming to be a representative of TRAI.
He alleged that multiple mobile numbers were registered under the complainant’s Aadhaar card and were being used to send objectionable messages.
Moments later, the call was transferred to another number, where the victim was made to speak with individuals posing as officials from the Mumbai Police Headquarters.
The fraudsters identified themselves as Vijay Khanna, a supposed sub-inspector from Colaba Police Station, and an ACP Naik.
The scammers claimed that an arrest warrant had been issued against him for alleged involvement in a money-laundering case.
They warned the couple not to contact anyone or disclose the matter, effectively placing them under “digital confinement.”
Over the next few days, the criminals continued to threaten the couple. On 16 November, they sent a forged document resembling a Supreme Court writ, and on 17 November, citing a fabricated Supreme Court order, they instructed the victim to liquidate his fixed deposits.
In fear and confusion, the couple complied and transferred ₹12,20,000 via RTGS to an account named Swami Sales Services & Marketing, held in Bandhan Bank’s Jalgaon, Maharashtra branch.
Only after the transfer did the couple realise they had been duped and approached the Cyber Crime police, who are now investigating the fraud and tracing the perpetrators.
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