Cyber Crime
Video Call Scam: 72-Year-Old Retired Engineer Loses Rs 4.67 Crore, Police Nab 13 Fraudsters
A 72-year-old retired engineer from Chennai lost Rs 4.67 crore in a courier scam operated through fraudulent video calls. The scammers, posing as police officials, convinced her to transfer the funds under the guise of a digital arrest. Chennai City Police arrested 13 individuals connected to the scam, and further investigations are ongoing.
A retired 72-year-old engineer from Chennai fell victim to a shocking scam, losing Rs 4.67 crore in what authorities have described as a sophisticated video call-based fraud. A special team from the Chennai City Police arrested 13 individuals involved in orchestrating the scam, which impersonated police officials and preyed on the elderly victim’s fears.
How the Scam Unfolded
The incident began when the woman received an automated call claiming her mobile connection would soon be disconnected. Concerned that her phone number was linked to crucial services like Aadhaar and bank accounts, she followed the instructions and pressed the number for further details. Her call was then transferred to one of the scammers posing as a Mumbai Cyber Crime Police official.
In an elaborate ploy, the fraudsters informed her that her phone number was connected to multiple bank accounts involved in Hawala transactions. They falsely claimed that a parcel containing illegal items like drugs, fake passports, tiger skins, and ATM cards had been seized in her name by customs.
The scammers then warned her of an impending “digital arrest” and convinced her to transfer her savings to a supposed Reserve Bank of India (RBI) account for verification, promising that her funds would be returned within 30 minutes. Overwhelmed and fearing immediate arrest, the woman transferred Rs 4.67 crore in what became a devastating loss.
Police Investigation and Arrests
After realizing the extent of the scam, the retired engineer reported the matter to the Chennai City Police. A special team was immediately formed under the supervision of the Greater Chennai Police Commissioner, Arun. The police traced the fraudsters to the areas of Villivakkam and Triplicane in Chennai. Upon investigation, it was revealed that the stolen funds had been transferred abroad through Hawala channels and converted into cryptocurrency via the Binance app.
The police arrested 13 individuals involved in the scam, recovering Rs 53 lakh, along with several mobile phones, ATM cards, and laptops. The accused have been remanded to judicial custody, and the investigation continues to trace the remaining funds.
Public Advisory
The Chennai Police have issued a warning to the public to be cautious of such scam calls, particularly those involving unsolicited video calls or requests for financial information. The city’s police commissioner has advised citizens to report any suspicious activity to the cybercrime helpline at 1930 and emphasized that legitimate authorities will never ask for personal information or money over the phone.
FedEx, whose name was misused by the scammers in this incident, has also released a statement clarifying that they never request personal details through unsolicited communications, whether phone, email, or mail, unless initiated by customers.
Follow The420.in on
Telegram, Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram and YouTube