It was a shocking day for a 59-year-old resident of Kharadi who fell prey to a sophisticated cybercrime scheme, losing a staggering Rs 20 lakh to fraudsters posing as CBI officers. The scam, which unfolded between April 2023 and January 2025, involved the criminals threatening the victim with arrest in a money laundering case.
The victim, a retired professional from a private company, finally decided to seek help and approached the police on Sunday to report the incident. Senior Inspector Sanjay Chavan shed light on the case, revealing that the victim had been digitally “arrested” twice by the scammers over the past two years.
According to the police, the fraudsters relentlessly called the victim, pretending to be CBI officials investigating a money laundering case filed at the Barakhamba police station in New Delhi back in January 2023. To further intimidate the victim, the scammers even sent a forged arrest warrant.
The criminals went to great lengths to threaten and manipulate the victim, repeatedly warning him of arrest and potential damage to his reputation. They resorted to making video calls, promising to help by removing his name from the case and treating him as a witness, but only if he complied with their demands for money.
In a state of fear and desperation, the victim transferred substantial sums to the fraudsters, who provided details of four different bank accounts for the transactions. It wasn’t until January, after months of distress, that the victim finally opened up to his family about the ordeal. With advice from friends, he decided to seek assistance from the police.
The case serves as a stark reminder of the dangers posed by cybercrime and the importance of staying vigilant against such scams. It’s a cautionary tale for all, highlighting the need to be wary of unsolicited calls and requests for personal or financial information. Stay safe, stay informed, and always report suspicious activities to the authorities.
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