A scary rise in cyber fraud has trapped both top officials and regular staff in Lucknow, showing how advanced and widespread online crime has become.
High-Ranking Officer and Police Constable Fall Prey
In Lucknow, two government employees—a lieutenant colonel affiliated with the Army and a police head constable—have become the latest victims of cyber scams, losing over ₹1 lakh between them. Both cases reflect the evolving tactics of fraudsters, who exploit trust and digital unfamiliarity to bypass the protections typically afforded to experienced service personnel.
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Manipulative Tactics and Personalized Deception
The first incident unfolded at an SSB center, where the army lieutenant colonel was persuaded to download a fraudulent mobile app by a scammer posing as a telecom representative. The convincing caller, who contacted over WhatsApp and initially claimed to be a customer service agent, walked the officer through several steps. Ultimately, the cybercriminal guided him into unknowingly authorizing a transfer of ₹50,000 from his account before the officer realized the deception and filed a complaint.
Vulnerability Across the Security Apparatus
In the second case, police head constable Brajnandan Singh—on duty at a legislative assembly gate—fell victim while attempting to buy a second-hand vehicle on Flipkart. Pursuing an online ad and responding to a purported customer service contact found via Google, he was tricked into downloading another app and sharing personal details. The fraudulent process culminated in a loss of ₹94,000.
Warnings from Cyber Experts and Shifting Trends
Investigators report that both cases have led to registered FIRs, and probe efforts are ongoing. Cybersecurity professionals underscore that such scams are neither novel nor rare but part of a mounting trend targeting the digitally active. Retired IPS officer and cybersecurity expert Triveni Singh notes that impersonation fraud is rampant, with scammers pretending to be company representatives and leveraging search engines, fake calls, and duplicate apps to reach victims. The lesson, experts emphasize, is that no one—neither senior officials nor field officers—is immune, making strong digital awareness and vigilance indispensable.