80-year-old Hyderabad woman loses Rs. 22 lakhs to pseudo cop
Hyderabad: An 80-year-old retired woman from Hyderabad has fallen victim to a cybercrime, losing Rs. 22,00,000 (twenty-two lakhs) in the process.
According to cybercrime police, the victim received a call from an individual impersonating the police commissioner. The caller threatened the woman, claiming that a parcel containing narcotic drugs had been sent to Delhi using her mobile number.
The fraudster demanded that the victim transfer money to the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) for verification and confirmation. Trusting the caller, the victim went to her local HDFC Bank and transferred Rs. 22,00,000 (twenty-two lakhs) via RTGS to the account number provided by the scammer.
It was only when the victim’s son contacted her and informed her that the call was a scam, that she realised it was a fraudulent call. The son promptly took her to the cybercrime police station to file a complaint and take necessary action against the perpetrators.
Public Advisory:
Police officials have issued a warning to the public to be cautious of suspicious calls. If you receive a call that seems suspicious, hang up immediately and report it to the police without fear. Be wary of scam calls claiming to be from FedEx, BSNL, or TRAI. Scammers often use psychological tactics to manipulate their targets.
Law enforcement agencies do not initiate contact through Skype calls or request money transfers to resolve issues.
Do not deposit money into unknown bank accounts based on false promises from unknown individuals.
If you fall victim to a cybercrime, contact 1930 or register a case at cybercrime.gov.in. For cyber fraud emergencies, call or WhatsApp at 8712665171.
