DEHRADUN, Uttarakhand — In a distressing case of cyber fraud, a 71-year-old retired woman from Dehradun, Suman Samuel, was tricked into transferring Rs 20.41 lakhs to fraudsters posing as Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) officers. The incident took place when these impostors called her, alleging that she was involved in a crime and threatened her with dire legal consequences unless she complied with their demands.
The fraudulent activity unfolded when Suman Samuel received a phone call from individuals claiming to be CBI officials. They manipulated her with claims of her involvement in unlawful activities, coercing her into making multiple transfers totaling Rs 20.41 lakhs as a supposed remedy to escape legal action. Alarmed and intimidated by the authoritative stance of the callers, she complied with their instructions.
Realizing she had been scammed, Samuel promptly lodged an FIR at the Cyber police station in Dehradun. The local Cybercrime Unit has taken up the case, launching an investigation into the incident. Speaking about the case, a police official stated, “This is a serious matter of cyber fraud, and we are putting all our resources into tracking down the perpetrators. Citizens are advised to be wary of such calls and to never share personal or financial details over the phone.”
This incident highlights the growing concern of cyber frauds targeting vulnerable individuals, particularly senior citizens. The deception often involves perpetrators impersonating governmental or authoritative figures to pressure and confuse victims.
In a related development, Dehradun has also seen a separate high-profile fraud involving land transactions. Two individuals, including a teacher from Uttarkashi district, were defrauded of Rs 1.20 crore by an accused, Ramnaresh Nautiyal, who falsely claimed ownership of plots in Dehradun. This incident is under investigation at the Premnagar police station, further indicating a troubling trend of financial frauds in the region.
cyber fraud is becoming a more pervasive threat in India, with criminals exploiting digital platforms to dupe unsuspecting victims. Law enforcement agencies have been working to raise awareness about such scams, urging the public to ensure the authenticity of calls and requests for money.
Authorities continue to advise individuals to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities to cybercrime helplines and police stations. The efforts aim to curb the frequency of cyber fraud incidents and bring perpetrators to justice, reinforcing public trust in digital mediums.
