Scam Alert: Lucknow professor duped of Rs 2.81 crore after 7-day ‘digital arrest’ by cyber thugs

A complex cyber scam He recently caught a prominent academic in a web of cheating, causing him a staggering loss of Rs 2.81 crore. The victim, Dr. Ruchika Tandonassociate professor in SGPGIMS LucknowHe was tricked over a seven-day period by an elaborate scheme.

The scam began with a call from someone posing as an official of the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI). The caller informed Dr Tandon that his phone would be switched off on instructions from the police due to several complaints against his number for sending harassing messages.

“I received a call in the morning. The caller introduced himself as a representative of TRAI (Telecom Regulatory Authority of India) and told me that my phone would be switched off on the instructions of the police as several complaints had been filed with the Cyber ​​Crime Cell in Mumbai against my number for sending harassing messages to people,” said Professor Tandon.

She was then connected to an individual posing as an IPS officer, who falsely claimed that one of her bank accounts was linked to illegal activities, including a money laundering The transaction was worth Rs 70 crore. The impostor threatened to arrest her immediately and introduced the concept of “digital custody” if she did not comply.

Dr. Tandon was further manipulated by someone posing as a CBI Officerwho insisted that the matter was of national importance and demanded confidentiality. Under intense pressure, she was forced to transfer Rs 2.81 crore over the course of a week.

“They made me talk to a CBI “I was also asked not to tell anyone because it was a matter of national importance,” he added.

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