Cybercrime Incident Involving Hyderabad Doctor
Overview of the Scam
In a recent cybercrime case, a 39-year-old physician from Punjagutta, Hyderabad, was reportedly defrauded of Rs 12 lakh by scammers who threatened him with a so-called “digital arrest.” The Cybercrime Police have since registered a case and initiated an investigation.
Details of the Incident
According to police officials, the victim received a phone call from individuals impersonating representatives of the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI). The callers informed him that a SIM card registered in his name was being misused for illegal activities in Mumbai.
The call was then transferred to another individual who pretended to be a police officer from Mumbai. This fraudster instructed the doctor to travel to Mumbai within 48 hours and advised him to turn off his phone, claiming he was under investigation.
Demands for Money
Shortly afterward, the scammers reached out to the doctor via WhatsApp, demanding Rs 12 lakh to “clear” the fabricated legal case against him. Under immense pressure and fearing arrest, the doctor provided his bank details. The fraudsters subsequently transferred the funds into multiple bank accounts before disconnecting their phones.
Realizing he had been victimized by a digital arrest scam, the doctor approached the Cybercrime Police, who have since taken action and opened an investigation, as reported by Deccan Chronicle.
Increasing Incidents of Online Fraud
Context of Rising Cybercrime
This incident occurs amid a rise in sophisticated online fraud cases reported across the nation.
Related Cases
In a related development, an MBBS doctor from Haryana was among nine individuals arrested for allegedly orchestrating a large-scale online investment scam that defrauded numerous people, including vulnerable account holders. This case, emerging from Jammu and Kashmir’s Ganderbal district, has involved transactions totaling Rs 209 crore, with estimates suggesting the amount could exceed Rs 400 crore upon full verification.