Pune-based Doctor: Victim to Cybercriminals in a Fraud Scheme.

A doctor in Pune had a frightening experience when he became the target of cybercriminals who tricked him into giving them over Rs one crore. The criminals threatened him with identity theft and accused him of being involved in drug trafficking and money laundering.

The ordeal began when the doctor received a call from someone claiming to be a courier executive. They said a parcel he supposedly sent to Taiwan contained illegal drugs and passports. The doctor denied sending any parcel, but the caller insisted his identity was being misused for criminal activities. The caller instructed him to go to the Mumbai Crime Branch to file a complaint or do it via Skype video call.

The doctor then received several Skype calls from people posing as Mumbai Crime Branch officers. They wore police uniforms and used the names of real IAS and IPS officers, including a police commissioner in Maharashtra and a former RBI governor. They demanded his Aadhar card and showed him a fake letter from the Central Bureau of Investigation.

The fake officers pressured the doctor to reveal details of his bank accounts and finances, claiming they needed to verify his accounts. They also told him to isolate himself in a hotel and keep an audio call on constantly. The doctor followed their instructions and transferred over Rs 15 lakh from his account to a fake “government account.” Later, he was manipulated into transferring another Rs 85 lakh from his investments and savings to the fraudsters’ accounts.

After these transfers, the doctor received fake letters from the RBI confirming the funds had been received. Then, the criminals demanded photos of his family and asked for more transfers to protect them from prosecution. It was then that the doctor realized he had been scammed and reported the incident to the cyber police station.

The cyber police are investigating the case and tracing the bank accounts used by the criminals. This incident serves as a stark reminder to always be cautious of suspicious calls or messages and to verify the identity of anyone requesting sensitive information or financial transactions.

How to Tackle such Situation:

If you ever get a suspicious call or message claiming you’re involved in a crime, don’t panic. Instead, ask these questions:

1. What’s the name of the courier company?
2. Get the Airway Bill (AWB) number for the parcel?
3. Check the courier company’s website to track the AWB number for authenticity.
4. You can also, call the customer care number of the courier company and verify the details.
5. If you find that you are in trouble then please contact your local police station for help.

These steps can help you stay safe from such scams. Be Vigilant, Be Safe.