In yet another case of cyber fraud, a 59-year-old railway official from Mumbai was duped of Rs 9 lakh after he received calls from fraudsters posing as CBI officers. While the incident bears similarities to other alleged cases of money laundering and fake parcel scams, this particular case took a unique turn when the victim was put on a video call with another man pretending to be a judge after he pressed “0” on his phone.

According to PTI, the victim, who works as Principal Chief Electrical Engineer (Construction) at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT) and lives in Colaba, received a voice message on his mobile phone on September 16. The message told him that his phone number would be blocked within two hours if he did not press “0” for further inquiries. The victim took it as a warning and followed the instructions, after which the video call began.

During the video call a man introduced himself as a CBI officer and accused the victim of being involved in a money laundering case. The scammer claimed that the victim’s mobile number was linked to a bank account used for fraudulent activities. Shocked and terrified, the victim denied any wrongdoing and told the caller that he did not have another mobile number contrary to the allegations.

The fraudster then pretended to make the matter more complicated and alleged that the victim’s number was linked to a bank account involved in a money laundering case of Rs 5.8 million. To make the story more convincing, the fraudster also said that the case was linked to 247 other accounts, including one belonging to renowned businessman Naresh Goyal.

At around 2pm on the same day, the victim received another call. This time, the fraudsters escalated their demands, seeking personal details about his family, finances and property. During this call, which lasted for around 20 hours, the victim was essentially put under “digital house arrest”. The fraudsters kept him busy on video calls, preventing him from talking to anyone or seeking outside advice.

But that’s not all. After a few hours of this digital imprisonment, the scammers set up a fake online “court hearing” where another person, claiming to be a judge, joined the call. The fake judge told the victim that he would have to deposit Rs 9 lakh in a specific bank account for his case to be heard and resolved. Feeling pressured by the serious allegations, the victim followed the instructions, went to his bank and transferred the money – but later realised he had been cheated.

Later the victim lodged a complaint with the authorities.

Notably, while this case is similar to other fake CBI scams we have been reporting over the months, it is worrying to see how scammers are changing their methods to dupe people. They are even creating fake online courts to scare victims. Amid these rising cases, it is important for individuals to stay vigilant and protect themselves from falling prey to such scams.

Here are some safety tips to stay safe:

– If you receive a suspicious call from someone claiming to be a government official or law enforcement officer, ask for identification and contact the relevant agency directly through official channels to verify their claims.

– Never share sensitive information such as financial details, property information or family background to strangers over the phone, especially if contacted unexpectedly.

– Be wary of voice messages or texts that pressure you to take immediate action or make a financial transaction. Fraudsters often create a sense of urgency to trick victims.

– If you suspect any fraudulent activity, report it to the police or cyber crime authorities without delay. Quick action can help prevent further losses.