Fraudsters Impersonated CBI and RBI Officials
According to Mumbai Police, the victim received a call from an individual claiming to be from FedEx, alleging that a parcel containing illegal items was registered under his name. Soon after, the call was transferred to individuals posing as Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and Reserve Bank of India (RBI) officials.
Using screen-sharing software and scripted interrogation techniques, the fraudsters manipulated the victim into believing he was under investigation for money laundering and narcotics trafficking. The accused convinced him to transfer his savings to a ‘safe RBI account’ to prevent legal action.
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Digital Manipulation and Intimidation Led to Huge Financial Loss
The victim, fearing arrest and social stigma, followed the instructions and made multiple transfers between January and March. The total amount lost was ₹2.89 crore, which included retirement funds and life savings.
An FIR has been registered under relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code and Information Technology Act. Police have launched a probe to trace the money trail and identify the perpetrators, suspected to be operating from multiple locations using Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) to mask their origin.
Cybercrime units have reiterated the need for public awareness, especially among senior citizens, about such evolving scams. Authorities advise against engaging with unsolicited calls that involve legal threats and urge victims to immediately report incidents via cybercrime.gov.in.
This case highlights the increasingly elaborate nature of cyber scams targeting vulnerable demographics in India.
About the Author – Anirudh Mittal is a B.Sc. LL.B. (Hons.) student at National Forensic Sciences University, Gandhinagar, with a keen interest in corporate law and tech-driven legal change.