A well-known academic was recently entangled in a web of deceit by a sophisticated cyber fraud, which caused an incredible loss of Rs 2.81 crore. Dr Ruchika Tandon, an associate professor at SGPGIMS Lucknow, was the victim; she was tricked over seven days by a complex plot.
A caller impersonating a Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) representative initiated the fraud. The caller told Dr Tandon that her phone would be turned off under police orders because her number had been reported multiple times for abusive texts.
“I received a call in the morning, with the caller introducing himself from TRAI (Telecom Regulatory Authority of India) and told me that my phone would be switched off as per instructions from the police because several complaints were lodged with Mumbai Cyber Crime cell against my number for harassing messages being sent to people,” said Professor Tandon.
After that, she was put in touch with a person posing as an IPS officer, who made up the story that one of her bank accounts was tied to criminal activity, including a Rs 7 crore money laundering scheme. If she didn’t agree, the impostor introduced the idea of “digital custody” and threatened to arrest her right away.
