In Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh, local police have registered a cyber fraud complaint after a man posing as a police constable allegedly convinced a resident to transfer ₹15,000 to a fraudster’s account under the guise of law enforcement action. The incident highlights how fraudsters increasingly exploit the reputation of officials to create fear and manipulate victims into surrendering money. (source: local Bhaskar report)
How The Fraud Unfolded
According to police sources, the victim received a phone call from someone claiming to be a constable from the Prayagraj police. The caller told the victim that he was linked to a criminal case or investigation and must immediately transfer funds as “security money” to avoid arrest or further trouble. Trusting the caller’s authority, the victim transferred ₹15,000 through an online channel as instructed by the fraudster.
Only after the transfer did the victim begin to suspect that the call might not have been genuine and reported the incident to the local cybercrime cell, prompting a formal police complaint and investigation. Police believe the suspect used intimidation and impersonation tactics to pressure the victim into compliance — a hallmark of many modern cybercrime schemes.
Such scams often rely on fear, social engineering and false authority to bypass normal scepticism and prompt victims into hasty action. In other cases across India, fraudsters impersonate officials from law enforcement, revenue departments, courts or banks to convince victims that urgent action — often involving a financial transfer — is required to avoid legal or financial penalties. (explanation based on digital arrest scam patterns)
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Investigating And Tracking Cyber Syndicates
The Prayagraj cybercrime cell is now analysing call records, transaction logs and digital artefacts from the victim’s device to try to trace the origin of the transaction and the suspected fraudster’s identity. Police have also urged citizens to verify the identity of anyone claiming to be from official agencies — especially in unsolicited calls — before transferring any funds or sharing sensitive information.
Officials emphasise that real police officers or government authorities will never ask for payment or transfer of money over the phone as a precondition for avoiding legal action. Instead, genuine law enforcement processes involve written notices, formal summons and in-person interactions conducted through authorised channels.
Cybercrime Landscape In Prayagraj And Beyond
This fraud incident in Prayagraj reflects a broader trend of social engineering scams and digital impersonation tactics reported across the region. Local cybercrime units frequently deal with cases of fake job offers, bogus investment schemes, work-from-home scams and fake arrest or warrant threats, with significant financial losses reported in some cases. (similar patterns seen in other Prayagraj cyber complaints)
Experts say that one key reason cyber fraud remains effective is due to a combination of fear tactics, authority impersonation and lack of digital awareness among victims. Strengthening personal cyber hygiene — such as not acting on unsolicited calls and independently verifying official communication — can significantly reduce the risk of falling prey.
Police Advisory And Public Awareness
Prayagraj police are urging residents who receive suspicious calls claiming to be from law enforcement, government bodies or banks to:
- Hang up and verify the identity through official channels
- Avoid transferring money to unknown accounts
- Report suspicious communication immediately to the cybercrime cell or call the national cyber helpline number 1930 for guidance and complaint registration
Law enforcement also encourages victims to preserve screenshots, call details and transaction receipts when reporting scams, as these digital traces can be critical in tracing fraud syndicates and freezing illicitly obtained funds.
About the author – Ayesha Aayat is a law student and contributor covering cybercrime, online frauds, and digital safety concerns. Her writing aims to raise awareness about evolving cyber threats and legal responses.
