An Ex Army Officer Was Defrauded with a Huge ₹3.1 Crore
An Ex Army Officer Was Defrauded with a Huge ₹3.1 Crore
Pune, Maharashtra: The unfortunate victim of a sophisticated cyber fraud was a former Army veteran from Pune who was in his sixties at the time. He stood the risk of losing a staggering amount of ₹3.1 crore over the course of two weeks. This intricate strategy, which includes impersonation, threats, and manipulative methods, brings to light the growing danger posed by cybercrime and emphasizes the significance of maintaining vigilance around the clock.
At the beginning of May, the veteran was confronted with a phone call from a person who claimed to be an officer from the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI). This was the beginning of the veteran’s journey.
This person gave him the erroneous impression that the Mumbai Police were looking for him because of allegations that he had harassed him through illicit communications. These allegations were, of course, contradicted by the veteran.
Despite this, the web of lies simply became more intense. After that, the caller put him in contact with another con artist who was pretending to be a high-ranking police official from Mumbai. A story was invented by this bogus cop, which was about a significant money laundering case in which the veteran’s name was involved. The officer even threatened to issue an arrest warrant over the matter.
The veteran was tricked into downloading a video calling application when he was afraid of the potential dangers and legal repercussions that could result from his actions. The appearance of legitimacy was further strengthened by the fact that he was shown a man clothed in a police uniform as the call was being given to him. Following that, the con artists exerted pressure on him to participate in a “priority investigation” in order to exonerate him of these manufactured charges.
The veteran, who was experiencing feelings of isolation and intimidation, was given the instruction to keep the situation a secret. The perpetrators of the fraud pounded him with threats, claiming that the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) was involved, and weaving a story about the dangers to national security. Over the course of the subsequent two weeks, the veteran, who was under a great deal of strain, carried out over a dozen transactions that totaled an astounding ₹3.1 crore to accounts that were located in a number of different states in India.
After coming to the conclusion that he had been taken advantage of, the veteran went to the Cyber Crime police station in Pune and submitted a First Information Report (FIR). There is currently an investigation being conducted by the authorities into the matter.
Social Engineering: One of the Most Effective Weapons
Officials in charge of responding to cybercrime revealed that this extensive fraud was carried out using a method known as social engineering. By taking advantage of human nature, social engineering is able to control its victims. In this particular instance, the con artists took advantage of the veteran’s anxiety at the possibility of facing legal consequences and threats to his safety.
It is imperative that everyone remain attentive against cybercrime, and this occurrence serves as a sharp reminder of that. It is important to note the following:
You should be suspicious of calls that you have not requested. If you get a call from someone who claims to be from a government agency or law enforcement, you should not be afraid to check the information immediately with the proper source. You will be able to get contact information on official websites.
No one should divulge any personal information: Under no circumstances should you ever divulge private information, financial particulars, or One-Time Passwords (OTPs) over the phone or through links that have not been validated.
Please report any questionable behavior: In the event that you come across a call, message, or internet activity that seems suspicious, you should immediately report it to the authorities.
We are able to reduce the likelihood of falling prey to such clever frauds if we maintain a state of high awareness and exercise caution. Let this serve as a lesson to be learned: if something seems too nice or too horrible to be true, it most likely is because it is. When interacting with unfamiliar people over the phone or online, you should always be sure to check the information offered and put your safety first.
About The Author:
Yogesh Naager is a content marketer who specializes in the cybersecurity and B2B space. Besides writing for the News4Hackers blog, he’s also written for brands including CollegeDunia, Utsav Fashion, and NASSCOM. Naager entered the field of content in an unusual way. He began his career as an insurance sales executive, where he developed an interest in simplifying difficult concepts. He also combines this interest with a love of narrative, which makes him a good writer in the cybersecurity field. In the bottom line, he frequently writes for Craw Security.
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