Dr S C Tiwari booked an Air India flight from Toronto to Delhi for May 2, 2025, through a travel booking facilitator.
After receiving his booking confirmation, he noticed a spelling error in his name.
Concerned, he contacted Air India's customer care helpline for assistance.
We all have experienced receiving calls from unknown numbers, but what happens when that call is from someone pretending to be an official of a trusted organisation? This is exactly what happened to Dr S C Tiwari, a retired professor and former department head at King George’s Medical University (KGMU). Dr Tiwari, a resident of Vipul Khand in Gomtinagar, was scammed of Rs 94,150 after a fraudster impersonated an Air India employee.
How the scam unfolded
Dr Tiwari had booked an Air India flight from Toronto to Delhi for May 2, 2025, through a travel booking facilitator. After receiving his booking confirmation, he noticed a spelling error in his name. Concerned, he contacted Air India’s customer care helpline for assistance. Not long after, he received a call from someone claiming to be an Air India employee. The caller asked him to provide his bank account PIN to correct the name error.
Also read: Man loses Rs 4.1 lakh in online cab booking scam: Here’s how it happened
Trusting the caller, Dr Tiwari complied, only to discover later that Rs 94,150 had been debited from his bank account. Realising that he had been scammed, he contacted the KGMU branch of his bank. Unfortunately, he was informed that the funds had been transferred online. Bank officials advised Dr Tiwari to report the incident to the police and the cyber cell.
Also read: IAS officer loses Rs 1cr to fake investment expert: How it happened and tips to stay safe
How to protect yourself from such scams
Scams like the one Dr Tiwari fell victim to are becoming increasingly common. To safeguard yourself, consider the following tips:
- Never share sensitive information over the phone: Legitimate companies will never ask for personal details like PINs or passwords via phone calls.
- Verify the caller’s identity: Always double-check by calling the company directly using their official contact information before taking any action.
- Look for red flags: Be wary of unknown calls, especially those that pressure you to act quickly.
- Monitor your accounts regularly: Keep an eye on your bank statements and transactions to spot any suspicious activity.
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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
