Chennai: Two men from Maharashtra were arrested by Tamil Nadu’s Cyber Crime Wing for their alleged role in defrauding P.K. Chandran, a resident of Chennai. The accused had executed a meticulously planned cyber scam through a WhatsApp call. Initially, one of them posed as an official from the State Bank of India (SBI), claiming that Chandran had outstanding credit card dues. Soon after, another impersonator contacted him pretending to be a senior officer from the Delhi Cyber Crime Unit. This person falsely informed Chandran that a money laundering case had been filed against him and that immediate action was required to avoid legal consequences. Under the intense psychological pressure of being implicated in a criminal case, Chandran was deceived into transferring a total of ₹2.25 crore to various bank accounts provided by the fraudsters. After receiving the funds, the fraudsters quickly cut off all communication and disappeared. Based on his complaint, registered at the Cyber Crime Wing in CCB, Tambaram, The cybercrime unit tracked them down and arrested them following a detailed digital trail investigation, The team arrested the accused, namely Srikanth Suresh Rao Gadekar and Naresh Kalyan Rao Shinde, both from Aurangabad, from a hotel there, with the assistance of the Maharashtra Police.
Crackdown Leads to Major Seizures and Judicial Custody
During the arrest, officials confiscated nine mobile phones, 16 ATM cards, seven SIM cards, five cheque books, and two rubber stamps used in the fraudulent operation. Authorities have also frozen ₹9.36 lakh across five bank accounts belonging to the accused and their family members to aid the ongoing investigation. Following their arrest, the duo was presented before the 16th Judicial Magistrate in Aurangabad, where a transit warrant was issued. They were subsequently remanded to judicial custody by the Judicial Magistrate in Tambaram and have been lodged in the Central Prison, Puzhal, until August 15.
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How to Stay Safe from Cyber Scams Like This
Cyber fraudsters often use fear tactics and impersonation to manipulate victims. To protect yourself:
Always verify the identity of the caller independently. Do not trust unsolicited calls claiming to be from banks or government departments.
Never share OTPs, banking details, or personal information over the phone.
If you receive a suspicious call, hang up and report it to your local cybercrime cell or through the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal (cybercrime.gov.in).
Stay informed about the latest cyber fraud tactics and educate those around you, especially the elderly.
Remaining vigilant and calm in such situations is your first line of defense.