'Calls' from Delhi Police, CBI; 'letter' from Supreme Court: How fraudsters duped Karnataka woman of Rs 14 lakh

Mangaluru: A woman lost Rs 14.02 lakh to fraudsters who posed as police and CBI officials and deceived her under the pretext of a digital arrest.

According to her complaint, she received a call from a customer care number on November 12, 2024. The caller claimed that Rs 1 lakh had been fraudulently transferred in Delhi using her ID. They further stated that an FIR would be filed against her.

Shortly after, she received a WhatsApp video call from an individual posing as a Delhi Police officer, who alleged that 25 cases related to black money were registered in her name. She was then directed to contact two individuals who introduced themselves as senior CBI officers.

While at a research center of a private university, she received a link purportedly from the Supreme Court. Upon opening it, she saw a case number, an arrest warrant, and legal documents related to black money transactions. The fraudsters warned that she would be arrested within two hours. To avoid arrest, they instructed her to transfer money to the RBI for verification, assuring her that the amount would be refunded. Trusting them, she transferred RS 6.50 lakh via RTGS on November 13.

The fraudsters even provided a receipt. However, she continued receiving threats of imminent arrest and a seven-year prison sentence. Between November 13 and 30, she kept receiving calls demanding further payments. Complying with their instructions, she transferred a total of Rs 14.02 lakh to multiple accounts. It was only after discussing the situation with her family that she realised she had been cheated. A case was registered at Ullal police station.