Retired Government Officer Falls Victim to Cyber Fraud in Himachal Pradesh

Cyber Fraud Incident in Shimla

Shimla: A retired government official in Himachal Pradesh has reportedly been swindled out of Rs 1.18 crore by cybercriminals impersonating officials from an investigative agency. The incident occurred in the state capital, Shimla, where the victim was subjected to what the fraudsters termed a 'digital arrest.'

As per the victim's report, he received both calls and video communications from individuals claiming to be officers from the CBI. These impostors allegedly threatened him with immediate detention, accusing him of serious crimes including money laundering and drug trafficking. They warned that his bank accounts would be frozen and his reputation tarnished if he did not comply with their demands.

The fraudsters claimed that the victim was under digital surveillance and instructed him not to reach out to family, friends, or any government entities. Under immense pressure and fear, the retired officer followed their orders and transferred funds to accounts provided by the callers, mistakenly believing it was necessary to clear his name.

Authorities later discovered that these accounts were mule accounts linked to cybercrime. By the time the victim recognized the scam, he had already lost over Rs 1.18 crore.

The Shimla cyber police have opened an investigation into the case. Superintendent of Police (Cyber Crime) Rohit Malpani emphasized that 'digital arrest' is not a legal term and urged the public not to panic when receiving such calls. He advised against transferring money under duress.

Police recommend that individuals immediately hang up on such calls, refrain from sharing OTPs, bank details, Aadhaar, or PAN information, and report any suspicious incidents to the nearest police station or the cybercrime helpline promptly.