Techie loses Rs 40.18 lakh in cyber crime; fraudsters posed themselves as officials

A Bengaluru-based techie fell victim to an elaborate cyber scam, losing ₹40.18 lakh to fraudsters posing as law enforcement and customs officials. The incident unfolded when the victim was contacted by individuals claiming to be from Mumbai airport customs, alleging her involvement in narcotics transportation.

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The fraudsters informed the victim that MDMA had been shipped to Iran under her name, linking her identity and documents to the consignment. To make the scheme believable, one of the fraudsters, pretending to be a courier representative, feigned connecting the call to the Mumbai air customs control room.

A second individual, posing as a police officer, offered assistance, convincing the victim to download the Telegram app. Through the app, the fraudsters shared false stories, including claims of catching a similar fraudster six months earlier. To "clear her name," they persuaded the victim to apply for a police clearance certificate (PCC) and deposit large sums of money under the pretext of legal fees and formalities.

Over time, the victim transferred ₹40.18 lakh to the fraudsters’ accounts. Realizing she had been duped, she approached the authorities. A case has been registered at the CEN station in Bengaluru’s West Division.

The police have urged citizens to remain vigilant against such scams and avoid transferring money or sharing sensitive information without verification.