Delhi graphic designer loses Rs 2 lakh after being held hostage online by fake police

Imagine getting a call from someone claiming to be from the police, telling you that your identity is involved in a serious crime like money laundering. It sounds terrifying, right? This is exactly what happened to a graphic designer in Delhi, who was digitally held hostage for four hours by scammers posing as officers from the Mumbai Crime Branch. The scammers threatened to block her bank accounts and demanded a large sum of money, ultimately tricking her into transferring Rs 2 lakh.

The woman, working for a multinational company, received a call from someone pretending to be from a courier service. The caller informed her that a suspicious parcel had been registered under her name and Aadhaar number, containing illegal substances like MDMA. They told her that her identity had been misused in a money laundering case and connected her to someone claiming to be from the Mumbai Crime Branch, reports TOI.

Also read: Man loses Rs 20 lakh to fake FedEx representative in courier scam

“They verified the complainant’s Aadhaar number, informed her about the situation, and instructed her to follow a complaint process. They clearly informed her that multiple accounts associated with her ID were being used for money laundering,” the police said.

The scammers then threatened her with blocking her bank accounts if she didn’t comply. She was instructed to lock herself in a room and connect with them on Skype. For four hours, she followed their orders, which included transferring Rs 2 lakh to an account.

After the call ended, the woman was left shaken and fearful, but after speaking with her husband, she regained her composure and reported the incident to the police.

Also read: Woman loses Rs 1.94 lakh after clicking on a job-related link on Instagram

How to protect yourself from such scams

• Always be cautious when receiving unsolicited calls, especially if they involve urgent or threatening messages.
• Verify any claims by directly contacting the relevant authorities, like the police or banks.
• Avoid sharing personal information or bank details over the phone or online, unless you’re sure of the person’s identity.
• If you feel threatened, immediately disconnect the call and contact local authorities for assistance.
• Consider using two-factor authentication for online accounts to add an extra layer of security.