Retired professor loses Rs 94,000 to fraudster posing as Air India staff: Here’s how you can protect yourself

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.

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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.

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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.