A man in the Khairthal-Tijara district of Rajasthan was reportedly defrauded of Rs 10 lakh by an individual posing as a Delhi IPS officer during a video call. The victim, identified as Deshram from Mundawar, received a video call on August 4 from the impersonator who was dressed in police uniform. The caller claimed to be an officer in the Indian Police Service and informed Deshram that a fraudulent SIM card and bank account had been opened in his name using his Aadhaar details.

The alleged fraudster introduced himself as “Sunil Kumar Gautam” and indicated that the account was linked to a significant fraud amounting to Rs 6.80 crore. He threatened Deshram with arrest and a potential three-year jail sentence if he did not comply with his demands for money.

Exploiting the victim’s fear of legal repercussions, the impersonator pressured Deshram to transfer the money to avoid any legal action. Under this duress, Deshram transferred Rs 10 lakh via RTGS from a State Bank of India branch in Khairthal on August 11.

Police Intervention and Prevention of Further Loss

The situation escalated when Deshram received further demands for additional funds the following day. In an attempt to meet these new demands, he decided to sell jewellery valued between Rs 15 lakh and Rs 20 lakh that he possessed. He set out for Khairthal to sell the jewellery when the Mundawar police received intelligence regarding his actions.

Upon realising the gravity of the con, the police intervened and intercepted Deshram before he could execute the sale. Station House Officer Mohar Singh Meena stated that the victim underwent thorough counselling at the police station and was informed that he had fallen prey to a cyber fraud scheme.

Officers explained the nature of the scam and ensured Deshram understood the situation. Family members were summoned to the police station to support the victim, and the jewellery was secured for safety. Following these events, a case was officially registered, and an investigation was initiated to trace the bank accounts and individuals involved in the fraudulent activities.

Related Incidents of Digital Arrest Scams in Rajasthan

This incident is part of a disturbing trend of digital arrest scams in Rajasthan, highlighted by a recent case reported in Jaipur. Just a day prior, a 90-year-old retired district judge was reportedly conned out of Rs 2.50 crore by fraudsters impersonating officials from the CBI and RBI. The judge faced constant psychological pressure over a period of approximately 15 days through repeated video and WhatsApp calls, which led him to transfer large sums of money to several bank accounts.

Law enforcement officials are increasingly concerned about the prevalence of these scams, particularly as they involve impersonation of senior government officials. The use of video calls serves to instil fear and compel victims into financial transactions. The police have strongly recommended that individuals should not disclose their financial details or consider any requests for money based solely on such calls.

In light of these developments, authorities are urging the public to report any suspicious communications immediately to the cybercrime helpline or their nearest police station. The need for heightened awareness regarding the tactics used by fraudsters has never been more critical in combating this growing issue.

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