A 75-year-old man from Ahmedabad became the victim of an extensive digital scam, enduring an eight-day ordeal during which he and his wife were defrauded of Rs 1.43 crore. The situation escalated following a phone call on April 2 from a man claiming to be Anuj, an officer from the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI). The caller accused the elderly man of having a mobile number linked to the distribution of inappropriate videos to multiple women.

Escalation of the Fraudulent Scheme

The scam intensified when a second individual, who introduced himself as Vijay Khanna from the Mumbai Cyber Crime branch, initiated a video call with the victim. During this interaction, the suspect allegedly hidden his identity behind an agency logo while intimidating the elderly man by supplying detailed information about his ATM card. He falsely connected the victim to a significant money laundering investigation involving Naresh Goyal, claiming that 247 ATM cards had been seized.

The victims were informed that they were implicated in accepting a ten per cent commission on illicit activities, amounting to Rs 2 crore. Under coercive pressure, the elderly man was shown fabricated documentation, including police FIRs and arrest warrants, which were sent to him via WhatsApp to support the bogus claims and further instil fear.

Consequently, under immense stress, the elderly man revealed sensitive banking and stock market information. The perpetrators then facilitated the liquidation of his shares, orchestrating the transfer of Rs 1.43 crore from his account. To avert any suspicion from the financial institution, they advised him to inform his son in Australia that the transfer was for private matters.

Realisation and Legal Action

The final transfer took place on April 9, after which the con artists cut off all communication, leaving the victim anxious and confused. It was only after discussing the situation with his nephew’s son that he understood he had fallen prey to a sophisticated scam. Feeling compelled to take action, the victim has since lodged a formal complaint with the Cyber Crime Police Station, where authorities are now engaged in an active investigation into the matter.

This incident highlights the increasing prevalence of cyber fraud, particularly targeting vulnerable individuals who may not be adequately equipped to discern scams. The unfolding investigation will aim to bring the perpetrators to justice and ensure that protective measures are strengthened against such frauds in the future.

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