An elderly Pune woman fell prey to an alarming cyber scam recently when criminals impersonating Mumbai police officers conned out Rs 20 lakh from her. This incident underscores the rising problem of cyber frauds as well as stressing the importance of digital awareness for protecting oneself against such scams.
Incident
The victim works at a talent acquisition firm in Pune and was informed early this month of an incident by someone purporting to represent an executive of a courier company that her Aadhaar card had been used to send parcels containing expired passports, credit cards and LSD drug strips through Iranian customs authorities and was intercepted there.
After being threatened with 20-years imprisonment and freezing all her assets, she succumbed to their demands by providing personal and bank account details in response.
Shortly thereafter, she received notification that Rs 20 lakh had been deposited into her bank account by an allegedly legitimate source and an unfamiliar official instructed her to transfer this sum elsewhere for “verification.” Unbeknownst to her at that point in time, however, this deposit turned out to be an instant loan taken out in her name by cyber criminals who then siphoned off all her funds for themselves.
Realizing she had fallen for fraud, she immediately reported it to Pune’s cyber crime police and following an initial investigation, her case was handed off to Warje Malwadi police station for further examination.
Modus Operandi of Scam
Drugs-in-parcel scams involve an elaborately orchestrated scheme in which victims are approached by individuals posing as courier service executives and told that drugs have been found in parcels linked to them, leading police officials to involve themselves and take legal action against the individuals responsible. Scammers use intimidating techniques like imprisonment and asset seizure threats as threats in order to coerce individuals into complying with their demands and submit.
Victims may be directed to communicate via Skype with individuals posing as law enforcement officials – in particular senior IPS officers – who convince them into wiring money on false pretences such as paying customs duties, legal charges or protecting bank accounts from hackers. Official Response and Investigation are in process.
After receiving reports from victims, Pune cyber crime police initiated an initial probe that revealed details about a scam and gave it over for further examination at Warje Malwadi police station for in-depth analysis and to trace cyber criminals and recover funds stolen by them. Authorities are actively working on recovering these stolen funds while tracking down those involved and recovering any stolen funds that might exist.
Substance Trafficking Scams in General
On May 14, the Department of Telecommunications released an advisory warning citizens not to respond to fake phone calls purporting to disconnect mobile numbers or alleging involvement with illegal activities. Furthermore, in May the Ministry of Home Affairs issued a similar message regarding digital arrests and cyber threats; specifically highlighting how many complaints have been reported via NCRP (National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal).
Prevention and Safety tips
Avoid falling prey to such scams by remaining wary and cautious when receiving unsolicited calls, verifying authenticity through direct contacting of official organizations using verified contact info, never sharing personal or financial data over phone lines or through untrustworthy channels such as instant messenger services.
If you suspect fraud, report it immediately to cyber crime authorities and take immediate steps to secure your personal data by using strong passwords and two-factor authentication on all accounts.
Conclusion
This incident serves as an alarming reminder of the threat posed by cyber fraud. Individuals should remain aware and cautious in order to safeguard themselves against being drawn in by scams like these, reporting any suspicious activities immediately and spreading awareness in order to safeguard communities against such offenses.
FAQs
- What to do if you receive a suspicious call?
- Do not share any personal information. Verify the caller’s identity by contacting the official organization directly.
- How to verify the authenticity of law enforcement communication?
- Law enforcement agencies will not ask for personal or financial information over the phone. Always contact the agency directly using official contact details.
- Steps to secure your personal information online?
- Use strong, unique passwords for your accounts. Enable two-factor authentication and regularly monitor your accounts for any suspicious activity.