Uttarakhand Cyber Fraud: ₹2.56 Crore Swindled in Alarming Scams
A staggering ₹2.56 crore has been siphoned off from four individuals in Uttarakhand in a series of sophisticated cyber fraud cases. The victims, including senior citizens, fell prey to various deceptive tactics, from alarming “digital arrest” threats to tempting, fake investment opportunities.
Modus Operandi: How Scammers Operate
The cases, all registered at the Cyber Crime Police Station, highlight the evolving and increasingly complex nature of online deception. Let’s delve into some of the shocking incidents:
- “Digital Arrest” Extortion: Two senior citizens were targeted with alarming threats of “digital arrest,” a tactic designed to instill fear and coerce victims into transferring money.
- Fake Gift Offers: One individual was ensnared by a bogus gift offer, a common ploy used by scammers to gain personal information or induce payments.
- Deceptive Investment Schemes: Another victim was lured into a fraudulent investment scheme promising exorbitant returns, a classic tactic to part individuals from their savings.
Retired Engineer Duped of ₹29 Lakh
One of the most distressing cases involves 78-year-old Vijendra Kumar, a retired engineer. He received a call from someone impersonating a senior police officer, falsely accusing him of involvement in money laundering. The caller claimed ₹6 crore, linked to Jet Airways owner Naresh Goyal, had been deposited into his bank account. Fearing imminent arrest, Kumar, under immense pressure, broke his fixed deposit and even took a pension loan, transferring a hefty ₹29 lakh to the fraudsters. This incident underscores the vulnerability of senior citizens to such emotionally manipulative scams.
₹61.21 Lakh Lost in Elaborate Investment Scam
Meanwhile, Munesh Kumar from Roorkee suffered an even greater loss, parting with ₹61.21 lakh in a meticulously crafted investment scam. Interestingly, his ordeal began after watching a fake video featuring Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, which deceptively promised returns of ₹6.5 lakh on an initial investment of just ₹21,000. Believing the fabricated endorsement, he registered on a provided link and was subsequently contacted by an individual claiming to be from “CryptoProMarket.” Over time, Munesh made multiple transactions, transferring a significant sum, but predictably, never received any returns.
Police Appeal: Stay Vigilant Against Cyber Fraud
As a result of these alarming incidents, the police have issued a strong appeal to citizens. They urge everyone to exercise extreme caution and not to trust unknown calls, suspicious links, or schemes offering unreasonably high returns. Importantly, in case of any suspected cyber fraud, the immediate course of action is to contact the cyber helpline at 1930. Being vigilant and informed is your best defense against these cunning fraudsters.
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By staying informed and exercising caution, we can collectively build a more secure digital environment for everyone.
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