A 70-year-old retired tahsildar from Seeranaickenpalayam in Coimbatore lost Rs 45.50 lakh to a cyber fraudster who posed as an anti-terrorism police officer from Lucknow. The fraudster alleged misuse of the victim's Aadhaar for terror funding and extorted money in multiple installments.
Coimbatore: A retired tahsildar from Coimbatore fell victim to a sophisticated cyber fraud, losing Rs 45.50 lakh to a scamster who impersonated an anti-terrorism police official and threatened him with false allegations of terror funding.
Gunasekaran (70), a retired tahsildar residing in Jagadeesh Nagar, Seeranaickenpalayam near Coimbatore, was contacted a few days ago on his WhatsApp number by a person identifying himself as Premkumar.
The caller claimed to be calling from the Anti-Terrorism Division office in Lucknow and informed Gunasekaran that his Aadhaar number had been used to open a bank account at a private bank in Karnataka. Premkumar further alleged that money was being transferred from this account to terrorist organizations in multiple installments.
When Gunasekaran denied any involvement or knowledge of such an account, Premkumar began threatening him with legal consequences and potential arrest. Intimidated by these threats, the retired government official succumbed to the pressure and transferred a total of Rs 45.50 lakh to the fraudster in various installments.
After making the payments, Gunasekaran expected the matter to be resolved. However, Premkumar neither returned the money nor responded to further communication. Growing suspicious, Gunasekaran began making inquiries and eventually realized he had been duped by a cyber criminal.
The retired tahsildar immediately filed a complaint at the Coimbatore Cyber Crime Police Station. Based on his complaint, the police have registered a case and launched an investigation into the digital fraud. Authorities are working to trace the accused and recover the defrauded amount.
This incident highlights the growing menace of cyber fraud where criminals impersonate law enforcement officials to extort money from unsuspecting victims. Police have repeatedly warned citizens not to entertain such calls and to verify any official communication through proper government channels before taking any action or transferring money.
Gunasekaran (70), a retired tahsildar residing in Jagadeesh Nagar, Seeranaickenpalayam near Coimbatore, was contacted a few days ago on his WhatsApp number by a person identifying himself as Premkumar.
The caller claimed to be calling from the Anti-Terrorism Division office in Lucknow and informed Gunasekaran that his Aadhaar number had been used to open a bank account at a private bank in Karnataka. Premkumar further alleged that money was being transferred from this account to terrorist organizations in multiple installments.
When Gunasekaran denied any involvement or knowledge of such an account, Premkumar began threatening him with legal consequences and potential arrest. Intimidated by these threats, the retired government official succumbed to the pressure and transferred a total of Rs 45.50 lakh to the fraudster in various installments.
After making the payments, Gunasekaran expected the matter to be resolved. However, Premkumar neither returned the money nor responded to further communication. Growing suspicious, Gunasekaran began making inquiries and eventually realized he had been duped by a cyber criminal.
The retired tahsildar immediately filed a complaint at the Coimbatore Cyber Crime Police Station. Based on his complaint, the police have registered a case and launched an investigation into the digital fraud. Authorities are working to trace the accused and recover the defrauded amount.
This incident highlights the growing menace of cyber fraud where criminals impersonate law enforcement officials to extort money from unsuspecting victims. Police have repeatedly warned citizens not to entertain such calls and to verify any official communication through proper government channels before taking any action or transferring money.