Representative image of cyber scam.
Credit: iStock Photo
Mangaluru: A woman from Mangaluru was duped of over Rs 61 lakh by fraudsters in the name of digital arrest.
In a complaint, the woman said that on June 19, she received a call from an unknown person claiming to be Investigation Officer Sandeep from Colaba Police Station.
Speaking in English, the caller alleged that someone had used her identity card for illegal activities such as human trafficking and drug peddling and was laundering money through her bank account.
She received calls from two more numbers later wherein the callers asked her not to inform anyone, including her husband, and threatened to get her husband fired from his job if she did.
On June 20, another fraudster, introducing himself as Investigation Officer Mohit Kumar, contacted her via WhatsApp video call.
He allegedly collected her personal details, including her PAN card and bank account information, claiming it was necessary for verification. She was asked to transfer money for "investigation purposes" and assured that it would be refunded.
Out of fear and intimidation, the woman did not inform anyone and proceeded to transfer a total of Rs 61,15,050 in multiple installments via RTGS between June 21 and July 9 to various bank accounts provided by the fraudsters.
It was only when the fraudsters continued to demand more money that the woman finally confided in her husband and children, realising she had been duped. A case has been registered at CEN station.