Noida Woman Duped of Over Rs 11 Lakh in "Digital Arrest" Fraud

 

Noida, Uttar Pradesh: In a disturbing new trend of cyber fraud, a woman in Noida was duped of over Rs 11 lakh after being subjected to a "digital arrest" for a day. This is the first case of its kind reported in the city.

The victim, a 50-year-old woman, received an IVR call on November 13th claiming that her Aadhaar card had been used to purchase a SIM card in Mumbai and engage in illegal activities. This call was followed by a series of online interactions with individuals posing as police officers, including an IPS officer from the CBI and a representative of the Mumbai Police.

These individuals fabricated a money laundering case against the victim, falsely linking her to the founder of a grounded airline. They then convinced her to remain online via Skype for an entire day, effectively placing her under "digital arrest." During this time, they pressured her to transfer funds from all her accounts to a specific bank account, claiming it was necessary to prove her innocence.

The woman complied out of fear, ultimately transferring over Rs 11 lakh to the scammers. She was also tricked into applying for a personal loan of Rs 20 lakh and transferring a portion of that amount to the same account.

After realizing she had been defrauded, the victim reported the incident to the Cyber Crime police station in Noida. An FIR has been registered under the Information Technology Act and the Indian Penal Code.

Police warn of emerging online threats

This case highlights the increasing sophistication of cybercriminals and the need for vigilance online. Inspector Reeta Yadav, in-charge of the Cyber Crime police station, urges people to be cautious and report any suspicious activity immediately. She advises against engaging with individuals claiming to be police officers online and recommends verifying their credentials thoroughly.

Key takeaways:

• This is the first reported case of "digital arrest" fraud in Noida.
• Cybercriminals are posing as police officers and fabricating cases to extort money.
• Victims are pressured into transferring funds online under false pretenses.
• Police urge people to be cautious and report suspicious activity immediately.

Remember:

• Never share personal information online with strangers.
• Do not respond to threats or demands for immediate action.
• Verify the identity of anyone claiming to be a police officer.
• Report online fraud to the police immediately.