A 77-year-old retired engineer from Rohini found himself trapped in a horrifying scam that lasted 19 days,
He was manipulated and threatened out of over Rs 10 crore.
The scam began when he received a call from someone claiming to be from a courier company.
It’s easy to think that scams only happen to others, but the reality is far different. A 77-year-old retired engineer from Rohini found himself trapped in a horrifying scam that lasted 19 days, during which he was manipulated and threatened out of over Rs 10 crore. This incident serves as a stark reminder that no one is immune to digital fraud.
The ordeal began on September 25, when the engineer received a call from someone claiming to be from a courier company, informing him about a returned parcel. Although the engineer usually avoids answering unknown numbers, he picked up this time. The caller explained that a parcel sent from Mumbai to China had his Aadhaar details, and he was connected to a video call with someone allegedly from the Mumbai Police.
Also read: Delhi graphic designer loses Rs 2 lakh after being held hostage online by fake police
On the call, the supposed officer accused him of being involved in money laundering and demanded his bank details for verification. The victim was then passed on to another person who introduced himself as a senior CBI officer. Speaking with authority, the man instructed the engineer to move to a private room to avoid being overheard. He showed documents, including one with his Aadhaar details, and warned him not to disclose anything to his family. He was also told not to leave the country and that his phone was under surveillance.
Over the next 19 days, the scammers maintained control over the engineer, claiming an ongoing investigation and pressuring him to transfer large sums of money. Believing the threats were real, he transferred Rs 10.3 crore in three separate transactions.
On October 14, the scammers claimed his brother was now part of the investigation. It was then that the engineer’s suspicion grew, and after talking to his brother, he realised he had been scammed.
Also read: Man loses Rs 20 lakh to fake FedEx representative in courier scam
How to protect yourself from such scams
- Be cautious of unsolicited calls: Avoid picking up calls from unknown numbers or sharing personal details over the phone.
- Verify before acting: Always verify the authenticity of any claim, especially if someone pressures you for sensitive information like bank details.
- Use official channels: If contacted by government or police officers, reach out to official numbers or websites to confirm the legitimacy of the communication.
- Stay informed: Stay up to date on the latest scams to recognise red flags early.
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Ayushi Jain
Tech news writer by day, BGMI player by night. Combining my passion for tech and gaming to bring you the latest in both worlds. View Full Profile
