• Source:JND
Add as a preferred

Karnataka: A 40-year-old woman from Mangaluru lost more than Rs 3.16 crore in a sophisticated online scam, where fraudsters posed as law enforcement officers and coerced her into transferring the money under the guise of a "digital arrest," according to police reports.

According to PTI, the woman, who has chosen to remain anonymous, lodged a complaint at the Cyber Economic and Narcotics Crime (CEN) police station, outlining how the scam played out over the course of nearly three weeks.

ALSO READ: Did You Know: Checking Your Wife’s Messages Could Cost You Crores In This Country

In her statement, the woman said the ordeal began on June 6, when she received a phone call from someone claiming to represent the National Crime Reporting Portal (NCRP). The caller alleged that a SIM card registered in her husband's name was being used for criminal activities. The call was subsequently escalated through multiple individuals, including one who impersonated a public prosecutor.

In the days that followed, the woman was pressured into disclosing her personal and financial information. The callers assured her that any money she transferred to the accounts they provided would be returned after a so-called “verification process.”

Believing she was assisting law enforcement, the woman transferred a total of ₹3.16 crore to multiple bank accounts between June 10 and June 27.

According to police, the scam involved several individuals who impersonated government officials and used psychological manipulation to maintain control over the victim. The woman only reported the incident after confiding in her children, realizing, too late, that she had been deceived.

ALSO READ: Digital Census In India: Govt To Soon Launch Online Portal For Self-Enumeration | Details

A case has been registered, and an investigation is currently underway, officials confirmed.

Police also highlighted a rise in similar scams, including a recent case in Hyderabad, and urged the public to exercise caution when receiving unsolicited calls from individuals claiming to represent government or law enforcement agencies.

(With PTI Inputs)