Now, frauds pose as I-T staff, con Bengaluru man of Rs 35L

Bengaluru: Bengaluru police have registered the first-ever case this year of a new modus operandi where cybercriminals impersonated the income tax (I-T) department and cheated a retiree of Rs 35 lakh.

DH had first reported in December 2024 that analyses by CID officers and state cybercrime investigators showed this particular modus operandi was expected to emerge in 2025 and cases of digital arrest scams would decline.

As of now, the case registered at the West Cyber, Economic and Narcotics (CEN) crime police station on January 3 was the first where I-T department officers were impersonated, a senior Bengaluru police officer said.

In this case, the victim S Prasad (name changed), received a phone call from an unknown number where the caller claimed to be from the income tax department (I-T). Prasad (67), was then accused of owing the department Rs 86 lakh in taxes.

When Prasad denied the allegations, his call was transferred to Vikram Singh, who claimed to be another I-T officer.

“The victim was accused of operating a company in Delhi, which allegedly owed the taxes,” a senior police officer said.

“When the victim was firm on his denial, he was told that his credentials may have been misused to open the company and that there was also a money laundering case connected with the company. He was also told to remain quiet and not inform his family members as they would also be treated as suspects.”

The victim was threatened with imminent arrest and was sent some fake documents with I-T department seal to convince him. He was then told to transfer all the money he had to the account provided by the perpetrators for verification.

Prasad, in multiple transactions, wired Rs 35,30,000 to four separate accounts, provided by the scamsters. He reached out to the police when the scamsters stopped responding.

Remain vigilant

An officer with the I-T department said they never make such calls and cautioned the public to remain vigilant.

“In case there are irregularities, the department issues notices,” the officer told DH. “Don’t believe in such calls and reach out immediately to the police.”

A senior police officer in Bengaluru said that so far, only one such case was reported in the city. “The public must not respond to such calls and it is important not to share personal information with any unauthorised person,” the officer added.