The Cyber Police have recovered ₹1.06 crore out of the ₹1.3 crore swindled from a senior citizen from Ernakulam in a virtual arrest scam.

According to police, the fraudsters contacted the victim, claiming that his mobile number had been used for criminal activities and that a CBI case had been registered against him. Under this pretext, they initiated a video call and convinced the man, who is also a doctor, that he was under virtual arrest. 

The gang kept him engaged for nearly 48 hours and coerced him into transferring the entire amount from his bank account to another account in a single transaction.

Realising that he had been duped, the doctor immediately lodged a complaint through the helpline number 1930. Swift action by the Cyber Police led to the recovery of ₹1.06 crore of the defrauded amount.

ADVERTISEMENT

Officials noted that a majority of recent cyber fraud cases in the state have targeted senior citizens. They urged the public to stay vigilant and added that a so-called 'virtual arrest' has no legal validity.

People are advised to report any suspected online financial fraud immediately to 1930 or through www.cybercrime.gov.in

ADVERTISEMENT

Prompt reporting within the golden hour greatly increases the chances of recovering the lost money in full.

TAGS

Google News Add as a preferred source on Google
The comments posted here/below/in the given space are not on behalf of Onmanorama. The person posting the comment will be in sole ownership of its responsibility. According to the central government's IT rules, obscene or offensive statement made against a person, religion, community or nation is a punishable offense, and legal action would be taken against people who indulge in such activities.