In yet another shocking incident of cyber fraud, a 77-year-old woman from Bengaluru has fallen victim to a scam, losing a staggering amount of Rs 1.2 crore. According to an online report, the elderly woman was duped by unknown fraudsters who managed to gain her trust and convince her to transfer the hefty sum.
What exactly happened
According to The Hindu, Lakshmi Shivakumar, the victim, received a phone call from an individual falsely claiming to be a Telecom Department official.The caller accused her of being involved in illegal activities through a SIM card allegedly purchased in her name in Mumbai. The caller further asserted that a complaint had been lodged with the Mumbai crime branch as per standard procedure.
A few hours later, Shivakumar received calls from individuals identifying themselves as Sandeep Rao and Akash Kulhari, who claimed to be officers from the Mumbai Crime Branch. They accused her of money laundering involving a substantial sum of Rs. 60 crore. To verify her claims, the alleged officers demanded detailed information about her bank accounts and investments. They escalated the pressure by threatening arrest for non-cooperation and presented forged documents, including a purported FIR and Supreme Court arrest warrant.
Following the disclosure of her personal financial information, Shivakumar was duped into transferring a substantial sum of Rs. 1,28,70,000 from her account. The scammers assured her that the money would be returned upon completion of the fabricated investigation.
Following the investigation, Shivakumar patiently waited for its completion. However, when she attempted to contact the accused, they remained unreachable. Realising that she has been scammed, she then filed a police complaint.
Tips to protect yourself from online fraud
* Be wary of unsolicited calls and messages: Avoid sharing personal or financial information with unknown callers or through unverified links.
* Verify the authenticity of requests: If you receive unexpected requests for money or personal details, cross-verify the information through official channels.
* Install security software: Keep your devices protected with updated antivirus and anti-malware software.
* Educate yourself: Stay informed about the latest cyber threats and scams by attending awareness programs or reading online resources.
* Limit personal information online: Be cautious about sharing sensitive details on social media platforms.
* Enable strong passwords: Use complex passwords for all online accounts and consider using two-factor authentication.
* Regularly monitor bank accounts: Keep a close watch on your financial transactions and report any suspicious activity immediately.
What exactly happened
According to The Hindu, Lakshmi Shivakumar, the victim, received a phone call from an individual falsely claiming to be a Telecom Department official.The caller accused her of being involved in illegal activities through a SIM card allegedly purchased in her name in Mumbai. The caller further asserted that a complaint had been lodged with the Mumbai crime branch as per standard procedure.
A few hours later, Shivakumar received calls from individuals identifying themselves as Sandeep Rao and Akash Kulhari, who claimed to be officers from the Mumbai Crime Branch. They accused her of money laundering involving a substantial sum of Rs. 60 crore. To verify her claims, the alleged officers demanded detailed information about her bank accounts and investments. They escalated the pressure by threatening arrest for non-cooperation and presented forged documents, including a purported FIR and Supreme Court arrest warrant.
Following the disclosure of her personal financial information, Shivakumar was duped into transferring a substantial sum of Rs. 1,28,70,000 from her account. The scammers assured her that the money would be returned upon completion of the fabricated investigation.
Following the investigation, Shivakumar patiently waited for its completion. However, when she attempted to contact the accused, they remained unreachable. Realising that she has been scammed, she then filed a police complaint.
Tips to protect yourself from online fraud
* Be wary of unsolicited calls and messages: Avoid sharing personal or financial information with unknown callers or through unverified links.
* Verify the authenticity of requests: If you receive unexpected requests for money or personal details, cross-verify the information through official channels.
* Install security software: Keep your devices protected with updated antivirus and anti-malware software.
* Educate yourself: Stay informed about the latest cyber threats and scams by attending awareness programs or reading online resources.
* Limit personal information online: Be cautious about sharing sensitive details on social media platforms.
* Enable strong passwords: Use complex passwords for all online accounts and consider using two-factor authentication.
* Regularly monitor bank accounts: Keep a close watch on your financial transactions and report any suspicious activity immediately.