Imagine receiving a phone call from an individual alleging that you’ve been involved in a crime, followed by a harrowing experience where you find yourself trapped on a video call, desperately transferring your savings to prove your innocence. This nightmarish scenario recently unfolded for a woman in Noida, who became a victim of a sophisticated scam, losing over Rs 14 lakh in the process. In this article, we will delve into the details of how the scam occurred and provide essential tips on how to protect yourself from such fraudulent activities in the future.

In January, Nidhi, a resident of Sector 50 in Noida, received a call from an unfamiliar international number. The caller introduced himself as Ankit Kumar from the telecom department, claiming that her mobile number had been associated with 17 First Information Reports (FIRs) and was at imminent risk of disconnection.

According to her complaint, Nidhi stated that the number in question wasn’t even linked to her. However, the scammer was adamant, citing the alleged connection and offering assistance in clearing her name.

In an alarming turn of events, the caller fabricated a scenario wherein he would connect her to a police officer from the Andheri police station in Mumbai. Nidhi was shocked when a man, posing as a constable, corroborated the fabricated claims and assured her of his support. Shortly thereafter, she found herself on a video call with another individual who identified himself as Pradip Sawant.

The scammer briefly showed his face before turning off the camera, claiming he needed to record her statement. In a chilling context, Nidhi could hear police sirens in the background while a voice ominously declared that she was now under “digital arrest.”

Subsequently, the scammers made outrageous accusations against her, suggesting that she was involved in drug use and linked to a money laundering scandal involving Naresh Goyal, the founder of Jet Airways.

Overwhelmed by fear and believing she was in dire straits, Nidhi complied with their demands, resulting in her transferring over Rs 14 lakh into their account. The call continued until her mother, sensing something was wrong, intervened to halt the transaction.

In a similar vein, another alarming case involved a couple in Bengaluru who lost Rs 4.7 crore to a similar “digital arrest” scam, raising awareness about the sneaky tactics employed by these criminals. To find out more about that incident and how to guard against falling victim to scammers, read this article.

Essential Tips to Avoid Falling for Scams

• Be wary of phone calls from unknown or international numbers claiming to be officials.
• Do not disclose personal information, banking details, or any documents during phone or video calls.
• Always verify suspicious claims directly through official government websites or customer service helplines.
• If you feel pressured or uncomfortable during a call, do not hesitate to hang up and report the number immediately.
• Remember, legitimate police officers will never request money or personal transfers over the phone.