The Initial Contact
The insidious scam began with a deceptive video call on August 19. The victim, who had received Rs 50 crore earlier in the year, was targeted by digital
fraudsters. They posed as officials from the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI). The criminals then informed the victim of “illegal funds” in his account. To further their deception, the scammers provided documents, falsely claiming they were from “genuine officers.” The victim and his wife were drawn into a 40-day ordeal, unaware of the financial ruin that awaited them. Despite the increasing pressure, they chose to keep the situation concealed, sharing the information with no one, not even their children or their neighbors.
Transfer of Funds
Between August 19 and September 29, the victim and his wife, following the scamsters’ instructions, transferred a colossal Rs 58.13 crore through RTGS. This money was distributed across several bank accounts provided by the fraudsters. The elaborate nature of the scam was evident as the victims were compelled to visit four different banks over a span of 27 days to facilitate the transfers. The police later revealed that the scammers meticulously tracked the victim's movements via phone calls. The withdrawals were then made by the scamsters using cheques. This helped in obscuring the trail of the accounts across which the money had been moved, further complicating the investigation and allowing the criminals to cover their tracks.
The Investigation Begins
The Maharashtra Cyber police initiated a thorough investigation upon receiving the complaint. According to Yashasvi Yadav, Additional Director General (ADG) of Maharashtra Cyber police, an exhaustive analysis of banking transactions, KYC records, and multiple linked account statements was performed. The police efforts led to the arrest of seven individuals, highlighting the ongoing effort to dismantle the fraud network and recover the stolen funds. The probe is currently being managed by nine police teams. Officers are working to trace the money's route and determine the identities of all those involved. The meticulous analysis of financial records and the tracking of communication have been essential to the investigation.
Understanding the Scam
The victim, having previously received a large sum of money earlier in the year, was vulnerable to the scam. The fraudsters used this prior financial activity to gain his trust. The scamsters exploited his belief that the situation was linked to his earlier financial transaction. The elaborate plot included the use of sophisticated tactics, such as impersonating officials and fabricating documents. This meticulous approach allowed the scammers to deceive the victim over an extended period. The lack of transparency and open communication also enabled the crime to continue without detection. The victim and his wife’s isolation from friends and family meant that no one could alert them to the ongoing fraud.
