Cyber Crime
Pune Woman Lost Rs 20 Lakh in Fake “Drugs in Parcel” Scam: How Cybercriminals Operate
A 40-year-old talent acquisition professional in Pune was duped by cybercriminals posing as Mumbai police, who used fear tactics to extract personal information and siphon off funds through an instant loan.
PUNE: Cybercriminals have struck again, this time targeting a 40-year-old woman from Pune in an elaborate ‘drug parcel’ scam. The victim, an employee at a talent acquisition firm, found herself ensnared in a web of deceit that resulted in a staggering loss of Rs 20 lakh.
The ordeal began when the woman received a call from an individual claiming to be an executive of a courier company. The caller informed her that a parcel sent using her Aadhaar card details had been intercepted en route to Iran. The contents of the package, according to the fraudster, included expired passports, credit cards, and alarmingly, 12 strips of LSD.
Panic-stricken, the victim was then connected to a person posing as a Mumbai police officer from Andheri. In a video call, the impersonator threatened her with a 20-year prison sentence and the freezing of all her assets. Exploiting her fear, the scammers manipulated her into sharing sensitive bank account details.
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The cybercriminals’ modus operandi involved creating a false sense of urgency and authority. They instructed the woman to sit before a camera while holding her Aadhaar card, further solidifying their illusion of legitimacy. Shortly after, she received a message indicating a deposit of Rs 20 lakh into her account. The fake officer claimed this was part of an account verification process and directed her to transfer the funds to another account.
It was only later that the victim discovered the horrifying truth: the Rs 20 lakh was an instant loan taken in her name using her bank’s application. By then, the cybercriminals had already siphoned off the entire amount.
Upon realizing the fraud, the woman approached Pune’s cyber crime police. After an initial investigation, the case was transferred to Warje Malwadi police station, where an FIR has been registered.
This incident is part of a larger trend of ‘drugs in parcel’ scams that have been plaguing unsuspecting citizens. The modus operandi typically involves fraudsters posing as courier service executives or law enforcement officials. They use scare tactics, claiming to have found drugs in parcels addressed to the victims, and often impersonate high-ranking police officers to lend credibility to their scheme.
The Department of Telecommunications has taken notice of such fraudulent activities. On May 14, they issued an advisory warning citizens against responding to fake calls threatening mobile number disconnection or alleging misuse in illegal activities.
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Furthermore, the Ministry of Home Affairs released an advisory in May addressing the surge in online blackmail cases. They noted a significant increase in complaints on the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal regarding intimidation, blackmail, extortion, and “Digital Arrests” by cybercriminals masquerading as various law enforcement agencies.
Staying Safe From Online Scams
The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) and the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) have issued advisories urging citizens to remain vigilant against such online blackmail and impersonation attempts. Here are some key points to remember:
- Do not respond to calls threatening to disconnect your mobile number or alleging illegal activity linked to your phone.
- Be wary of unsolicited communication from individuals claiming to be law enforcement officials or government agencies.
- Never share personal or financial information over calls, texts, or video calls with unknown individuals.
- Verify the legitimacy of any claims by contacting the concerned authorities directly through official channels.
- Report suspicious activity to the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal (NCRP).
This incident highlights the sophisticated tactics employed by cybercriminals and the importance of vigilance in the digital age. Authorities urge citizens to be cautious of unsolicited calls, verify the identity of callers claiming to be officials, and never share sensitive personal or financial information over the phone or video calls.