Bengaluru man put under ‘arrest’ for 6 days, loses Rs 14 Lakh to telecom scam: Here’s what happened – Times of India

A cybercrime incident in Bengaluru has highlighted the growing threat of sophisticated scams targeting unsuspecting individuals. According to a report by Deccan Herald, a 29-year-old businessman fell victim to a telecom and CBI impersonation scam, losing a staggering Rs 14 lakh.

Here’s what happened

The victim received a call on September 25th from an individual claiming to be from the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI).The caller accused the victim of being linked to illegal activities, including money laundering.
After Pareek repeatedly informed the caller that it wasn’t his phone number, the caller transferred the call to the “CBI office in Mumbai.” The new caller then claimed to be a CBI officer but refused to disclose his identity.
Scammers then employed a tactic known as “digital arrest” to manipulate the victim further. They claimed an HDFC bank account, allegedly opened in his name, had been used for a suspicious $6 million (60 lakh) transaction. They further threatened him with constant surveillance, creating a sense of urgency and fear.
To add to the legitimacy of the scam, the fraudsters reportedly instructed the victim to download the Signal messaging app for a “video statement,” a tactic often seen in digital arrest scams. Following this, they pressured him to transfer 80% of his bank balance to a supposedly secure “RBI account” for verification.
The victim then transferred a total of Rs 14.57 lakh between September 25th and October 2nd. The deceit only came to light when he reported the incident to authorities on October 3rd, leading to a registered case and investigation.

Tips to stay safe:

– Do not share personal information or transfer funds based on unsolicited calls or messages.
– Verify information directly with the concerned organisation, not through phone numbers provided by the caller.
– Be cautious of tactics that create a sense of urgency or fear.
– Report suspicious incidents to the authorities immediately.