MANGALURU– A retired woman has become the latest victim of a growing trend of online fraud, reportedly losing over ₹3 crore to a scam. The ordeal began on January 15th when the victim, Leni Prabhu, received a missed call from an unknown number. Upon calling back, she was connected to a woman who impersonated an official from the General Post Office. The scammer informed Ms. Prabhu that a parcel sent in her name to China had been intercepted and found to contain 150 grams of MDMA, a serious narcotic. The caller chillingly warned her that this alleged offense could lead to a prison sentence exceeding 75 years.
Exploiting Fear and Demanding Funds
Despite Ms. Prabhu’s repeated denials of sending any such package, the scammer insisted that it was sent using her identification. Subsequently, the fraudsters managed to extract personal details from her. They then presented a deceptive solution: they claimed they could issue a “no objection certificate” to clear her name, but only if she transferred 93% of her pension money. Overwhelmed by fear of severe legal repercussions and under immense pressure, Ms. Prabhu fell prey to their manipulation.
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Multiple Transfers and Growing Suspicion
Starting shortly after the initial contact, Ms. Prabhu reportedly traveled to Mangaluru and made an initial transfer of ₹55 lakh via RTGS (Real Time Gross Settlement) to accounts provided by the fraudsters. She was strictly instructed not to disclose any information about these transactions to anyone, which further isolated her and exacerbated her fear. Over the following months, from January 17th to July 4th, Ms. Prabhu allegedly made multiple installment transfers, totaling a staggering ₹3,09,75,000.
Realization of Fraud and Police Investigation
The elaborate scheme began to unravel when the individuals on the other end of the communication ceased their responses. It was at this point that Ms. Prabhu finally realized she had been a victim of a significant fraud. A formal police case has been registered at the CEN (Cyber, Economics Offences and Narcotics) police station. Authorities have acknowledged the use of the “digital arrest” tactic in this case. The investigation is currently underway.