Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh — Cyber fraudsters targeted a retired senior official of a central ministry and extorted ₹12 lakh from him. The scammers threatened him with obscene messages and public humiliation to extract the money.
The 77-year-old resident of Gopinagar and former Joint Director said that it all began with a phone call from an unknown number. The caller claimed that the officer’s Aadhaar card had been misused for money laundering and that serious charges could be filed against him.
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Accusations and Pressure Tactics
According to the officer, the fraudsters further frightened him by saying that a case of sending obscene messages had been registered in his name, involving more than 200 women. During the call, a video call was made where a woman introduced herself as a victim and threatened to have him arrested.
Terrified, the officer followed the fraudsters’ instructions and gradually transferred ₹12 lakh from his bank account online.
Digital Surveillance and Investigation
Officials revealed that the fraudsters kept him under a kind of digital “house arrest” for two days. During this period, he was instructed over phone calls to remain at home and not to speak with anyone. He was even told to give leave to his domestic helpers.
Expert Opinion
Cybercrime expert and former IPS officer Prof. Triveni Singh explained:
“This case is a combined form of ‘sextortion’ and ‘impersonation fraud.’ Criminals first trap the victim in a fabricated legal crisis and then create continuous psychological pressure to extract money. The use of foreign virtual numbers, video manipulation, and digital threat calls has become common in such crimes.
People must understand that no government agency conducts inquiries over phone or video calls. If there is any suspicion related to Aadhaar or bank accounts, it is communicated through official notices or emails. Upon receiving such calls, one should immediately contact the police or the cyber helpline at 1930.”
Police Action
The cybercrime unit of Lucknow Police has registered a complaint and initiated an investigation. Preliminary findings suggest that the fraudsters misused the officer’s Aadhaar details and fabricated money-laundering charges to intimidate him.
“This is a complex form of fraud where criminals not only exploit the victim financially but also put them under extreme psychological pressure,” said a senior cyber officer.