A shocking incident of cyber fraud has come to light in Bengaluru, where a 49-year-old scientist from the prestigious Indian Institute of Science (IISc) was allegedly conned out of a substantial ₹8.8 lakh. The elaborate scheme involved a fraudster impersonating a CBI officer, who threatened the scientist with arrest over false accusations of human trafficking.
Following a formal complaint from the victim, the Central Division cybercrime police have initiated a case against the unidentified perpetrator. The accused faces charges under the Information Technology Act, alongside Section 318 of the Indian Penal Code, which pertains to cheating and dishonestly inducing the delivery of property.
The intricate fraud began with a phone call to the scientist, where the imposter dramatically claimed she was implicated in 17 criminal cases. He asserted that her mobile number had been linked to illicit activities currently under investigation by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).
To heighten the sense of urgency and fear, the scammer falsely stated that the CBI had secured Supreme Court approval for her immediate arrest, even presenting fabricated arrest warrants. Playing on her distress, the fraudster then feigned an offer of assistance, ultimately coercing her into making online transfers totaling ₹8.8 lakh between September 17 and September 19.
The deception unraveled when the scientist confided in her family about the harrowing experience. Recognizing the signs of a scam, her family promptly advised her to report the matter to the authorities.
In light of this incident, the police have issued a public advisory, urging citizens to exercise extreme caution and disregard unsolicited calls from individuals claiming to be law enforcement officers who demand money for any official purpose. They emphasize that legitimate police or CBI officials would never ask for monetary transfers over the phone.