Elderly Pune couple lose over ₹5 crore in digital arrest scam
In a disturbing and alarming incident, an elderly couple from Pimpri Chinchwad and a retired engineering professor from Pune district have fallen prey to a sophisticated digital arrest scam, losing a staggering amount of over ₹5 crore. The scam, which involved cybercriminals impersonating police and anti-terror officials, has once again highlighted the vulnerability of citizens, particularly the elderly, to cybercrime.
According to reports, the elderly couple, who wish to remain anonymous, received a call from a person claiming to be a police officer. The caller informed them that their grandchild had been involved in a serious crime and was about to be arrested. The couple, who were obviously distraught and worried, were then coerced into paying a large sum of money to prevent their grandchild’s arrest. The scammers, who were highly sophisticated and convincing, used various tactics to gain the couple’s trust, including providing them with fake case numbers and court documents.
Over a period of several months, the couple made multiple payments to the scammers, totaling over ₹5 crore. The payments were made through various channels, including bank transfers and online payments. The couple, who were unaware that they were being scammed, believed that they were paying to secure their grandchild’s release and prevent any further legal action.
The retired engineering professor, who also fell prey to the same scam, lost a significant amount of money. The professor, who had retired from a prestigious institution, was targeted by the scammers, who claimed that he was under investigation for a serious crime. The professor, who was unaware of the scam, paid a large sum of money to the scammers, believing that he was paying to clear his name.
The digital arrest scam, which has been on the rise in recent times, involves cybercriminals impersonating police and anti-terror officials. The scammers use various tactics to gain the trust of their victims, including providing them with fake case numbers, court documents, and other convincing information. The victims, who are often elderly and vulnerable, are coerced into paying large sums of money to prevent their arrest or to secure the release of a family member.
The incident has once again highlighted the need for citizens to be aware of the risks of cybercrime and to take necessary precautions to protect themselves. The police have warned citizens to be cautious of such scams and to verify the authenticity of any calls or messages that claim to be from law enforcement agencies.
In recent times, there has been a significant increase in cybercrime, with scammers using various tactics to target vulnerable citizens. The digital arrest scam is just one of the many types of scams that are being used to cheat people out of their hard-earned money. Other types of scams include phishing scams, online lottery scams, and job scams, among others.
To protect themselves from such scams, citizens need to be aware of the risks and take necessary precautions. This includes being cautious of any calls or messages that claim to be from law enforcement agencies, verifying the authenticity of any information that is provided, and never paying money to anyone without proper verification.
The police have also warned citizens to be aware of the tactics used by scammers, including the use of fake case numbers, court documents, and other convincing information. Citizens are also advised to report any suspicious activity to the police immediately, so that action can be taken to prevent further scams.
In conclusion, the incident of the elderly Pune couple losing over ₹5 crore in a digital arrest scam is a disturbing reminder of the risks of cybercrime. It highlights the need for citizens to be aware of the risks and to take necessary precautions to protect themselves. The police and other law enforcement agencies need to take immediate action to prevent such scams and to bring the perpetrators to justice.
Source:
https://newskarnataka.com/s/4foqbw
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