In a deeply troubling case that reflects the evolution of cybercrime in India, a 73-year-old retired chief scientist from Hyderabad was duped of ₹1.34 crore by a group of cybercriminals who impersonated top officials, including a Supreme Court judge, during an elaborate digital extortion scheme.
The Illusion of Justice: Cybercrime’s New Frontier
On a quiet morning of May 31, a retired senior scientist from Hyderabad answered a call that would plunge him into a psychological ordeal lasting over three days. The caller claimed to represent the Department of Telecommunications. What followed was a terrifying cascade of impersonations, first a police officer, then a CBI agent, and finally a “Supreme Court judge”, all meticulously designed to trap the scientist in a digital web of fear, shame, and extortion.
By the end of the ordeal, the 73-year-old, who once held a prestigious position at a Central Research Institute, had transferred ₹1.34 crore to unknown accounts, under the belief that he was safeguarding himself from a fabricated international money laundering case tied to human trafficking operations in Cambodia and Myanmar. The case now sits with the Rachakonda Cyber Crime Police, and an investigation is underway to trace the digital trail left by the fraudsters.
Courtroom in a WhatsApp Call: Orchestrating Digital Fear
The scam unfolded in sophisticated psychological layers. Initially told that his Aadhaar number had been misused by a criminal named Sudaqat Khan, allegedly involved in international trafficking, the victim was told a case had been filed at Bengaluru’s Ashok Nagar police station. Then came a call from a man claiming to be CBI Officer “Akash Kulhari,” who warned of an impending arrest warrant.
To “prove his innocence,” the victim was asked to participate in a video conference with the “Registrar of the Supreme Court.” But the real manipulation began when he received a WhatsApp video call featuring an individual in judicial robes, seated before a digital backdrop resembling a courtroom. His wife was also asked to participate, and both were instructed to wear white clothing, simulating formal court appearance protocols. Documents were shown. Technical jargon was used. Emotions were manipulated.
Under the pretext of a financial audit, the victim was asked to transfer all his bank savings to “secured accounts,” with the promise that the funds would be returned after verification. Three separate transactions later, the calls stopped.
The Rise of Virtual Impersonation Crimes
Experts warn that this case is part of a rising trend of “deep impersonation” cybercrimes in India, where voice cloning, digital staging, and psychological coercion are used to mimic law enforcement and judiciary systems. Despite multiple awareness campaigns, even highly educated and experienced individuals are falling prey to these emotionally weaponized frauds. The Hyderabad scam bears an eerie resemblance to cases reported in Mumbai, Delhi, and Bengaluru in the past year, where victims were led to believe they were part of criminal investigations and manipulated into voluntarily transferring funds for “legal safety.”
The Rachakonda Police have registered a formal complaint under the Information Technology Act and IPC sections related to cheating and criminal impersonation. Forensic cyber teams are working to trace the money trail through intermediary accounts and crypto platforms.
About the author – Prakriti Jha is a student at National Forensic Sciences University, Gandhinagar, currently pursuing B.Sc. LL.B (Hons.) with a keen interest in the intersection of law and data science. She is passionate about exploring how legal frameworks adapt to the evolving challenges of technology and justice.