DIGITAL ARREST SCAM: Cyber fraudsters posing as CBI officials swindle Rs.48 lacs from elderly couple in Srinagar

STC NEWS DESK
SRINAGAR, JANUARY 17 (STC):
Cyber fraudsters posing as officials from Central Bureau of Investigations (CBI) have duped an elderly couple from Srinagar by an amount of Rs 48.00 lacs, revealed a report of Cyber Crime Investigation Centre for Excellence, Crime Branch, J&K .
According to the report, the couple was approached by the fraudsters through WhatsApp video call informing them that the callers belong to CBI and are investigating the couple for their alleged involvement in a big financial fraud. The fraudsters also projected themselves as officials from the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI). The callers falsely accused them of being involved in a financial fraud case that was allegedly being investigated by the CBI.
The scammers, as per reports, sent them fake orders of CBI and TRAI. They threatened to freeze their bank accounts and seize their property.
The fraudsters forced the couple to continuously stay under video surveillance for few days, even while using the washroom. They were forbidden from leaving their house without permission. Living under immense psychological pressure, the couple ended up transferring Rs 48 lakh, the report revealed.
Notably, Cyber Crime Investigation Centre for Excellence, Crime Branch ,J&K has been repeatedly advising people that there is nothing like “Digital arrest” and any person facing such a situation should immediately recognize them as fraudsters and, instead of falling prey to their ill designs, they should immediately report it on helpline number 1930 or on www.cybercrime.gov.in.
It has been observed that the fraudsters usually target senior citizens whose children do not reside with them owing to outside jobs or businesses.

(Straight Talk Communications)