Digital Arrest
Senior Executive Defrauded of Nearly Rs 90 Lakh in Cyber Scam
Nashik: A 60-year-old senior company executive fell victim to a cyber fraud scheme, losing Rs 89.9 lakh to scammers impersonating high-ranking police and Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) officers.
The Nashik city Cyber Police Station has registered a complaint detailing the multi-day deception. The fraudsters convinced the victim that he was under police surveillance by sending him fabricated video footage. They instructed him to purchase a new SIM card and phone to further their scheme.
The ordeal began when the victim received a call alleging involvement in a financial fraud case on August 17. Finally, under the pretext of an official RBI background verification, the victim transferred Rs 89.99 lakh to a designated bank account via RTGS. On Aug 28, after he realised that he had been deceived, the victim informed his family and lodged a complaint.
Shortly after, fraudsters posing as ATS officials and an IPS officer contacted him via WhatsApp audio and video calls. To induce panic, the impersonators forced the victim to conduct a live video walk-through of his home to verify he was alone. They sent forged documents bearing official logos of the Enforcement Directorate (ED) and the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), threatening immediate arrest unless he disclosed his complete financial assets. Worried about the legal consequences, the victim liquidated his stock market investments and transferred the funds to his primary bank account.
Nashik Cyber Police have registered a case under the Information Technology Act (Sections 66C, 66D) and relevant provisions of the BNS. An investigation is underway to track the fraudulent phone numbers and bank accounts.