An astounding Rs 80 lakh was stolen from a resident of Chandigarh’s Sector 11 by swindlers who impersonated police officers, a move that underscored the importance of vigilance and the increased complexity of online swindles.
The woman, whose real name the police have withheld, claimed to have gotten a call on July 7, 2024. Under the guise of assistance, the caller directed her to send Rs 80 lakh to a certain bank account as part of a fictitious inquiry. They promised to reimburse the money if she turned out to be innocent.
The person on the phone kept threatening the victim with unimaginable stories like how the victim has a total of 24 money laundering cases awaiting her and that if she does not turn up to the authorities she will be arrested. This individual seems to have used words that sounded as if they were official while at the same time he or she conveyed their message hurriedly to cause fear among the recipient of this call.
Frightened by these false accusations, the woman fell prey to the elaborate scam. The caller, pretending to be helpful, instructed her to transfer Rs 80 lakh to a specific bank account as part of a fake investigation. They assured her that the money would be refunded if she was found innocent.
Believing the scammer’s lies, the woman transferred the hefty sum to the designated account. However, soon after the transfer, she realized she had been tricked. The fake police officer and the promised refund were nowhere to be found.
After coming to a realization, the complainant reported the issue at Chandigarh’s cybercrime police station, and as of now, the authorities are looking into it to identify who is responsible. It is important to note that this happening stands out as an illustration of the phone scams through which the attackers make us do things hurriedly or in fear.
Here are some safety tips to avoid falling victim to similar scams:
- Even if someone calls you claiming to be a police officer, never disclose personal details or give confidential financial information via phone. Phone inquiries about personal data are unsolicited by authentic bank employees and law enforcers.
- If you receive a suspicious phone call, confirm the caller’s authenticity by using a trusted contact source of the organization they are associated with like the official website or phone number.
- Do not be pressured into making immediate decisions based on threats or a sense of urgency. Scammers often use these tactics to cloud their judgment.
- If you suspect you are being targeted by a scam, report it to the authorities immediately.
By staying informed and cautious, you can protect yourself from falling victim to these types of cyber frauds.
