Scam Alert: Lucknow professor duped of Rs 2.81 crore after 7-day ‘digital arrest’ by cyber thugs

A complex cyber scam recently ensnared a prominent academic in a web of deceit, resulting in a staggering loss of Rs 2.81 crore. The victim, Dr. Ruchika Tandon, an associate professor at SGPGIMS Lucknow, was duped over a period of seven days through an elaborate scheme.

The scam began with a call from someone posing as an official from the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI). The caller informed Dr. Tandon that her phone would be switched off based on instructions from the police due to several complaints against her number for sending harassing messages.

“I received a call in the morning, with the caller introducing himself from TRAI (Telecom Regulatory Authority of India) and told me that my phone will be switched off as per instructions from the police, because several complaints were lodged with Mumbai Cyber Crime cell against my number for harassing messages being sent to people,” Professor Tandon said.

She was then connected to an individual pretending to be an IPS officer, who falsely claimed that one of her bank accounts was linked to illegal activities, including a money laundering operation worth Rs 7 crore. The impersonator threatened immediate arrest and introduced the concept of ‘digital custody’ if she failed to comply.

Dr. Tandon was further manipulated by someone impersonating a CBI officer, who insisted that the matter was of national importance and demanded confidentiality. Under intense pressure, she was coerced into transferring Rs 2.81 crore over the course of the week.

“They made me speak to a CBI officer. They also asked me not to tell anyone about it since this was a matter of national importance,” she added.

Inputs from PTI

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