57 yr old Aundh businessman served with fabricated CBI notice, duped of Rs 1 crore 3 lakh  

Series of cyber fraud cases are being reported in the city everyday.  With many renowned, educated, IT professionals, senior citizens are being prompted to share their banking related details. 

In a shocking incident recently, an Aundh resident was duped of Rs 1 crore 3 lakh by fraudsters posing as CBI officials. 

The victim has a business of auto parts manufacturing at Alandi, Khed. 

The fraud happened from, 03.03.2024, 4 pm when the victim received a call from an unknown caller on his mobile number. The caller identified as an official of Ministry of Telecommunications and verified the identity of the victim. 

The fraudster informed the victim that some people are misusing his Aadhar Card details and sending fraudulent messages to various people and there is criminal case registered against the victim at Andheri East Police Station. With this story, the fraudster informed that the communication will now be transferred to Andheri Police Station. Later the victim received a WhatsApp video call from another number and sent a fabricated notice with the Aadhar card and name details of the victim on CBI letterhead. The victim was then informed that his case is coming under the jurisdiction of CBI.

The Victim was then threated that he should not speak to anybody about the communication as the matter is coming under National Security Act. 

The fraudster then sent images of some people on WhatsApp and informed that all such people have been arrested, and interrogated if the victim knows them. The fraudster in a professional tone informed the victim that the CBI has got evidence against the victim. 

Then the fraudster inquired if there is any black money in the victims account. It was informed that RBI has instructed to check the funds of the victim. And therefore, the fraudster instructed the victim to share all his bank detail and the bank statements. 

The gullible victim shared the bank details and last three-month bank statements.

Thereafter the fraudster instructed the victim that all the funds in his all-bank accounts must be transferred to the bank accounts instructed by the frauds and only 5000/- rupees balance must be kept in the victims bank account as per RBI rules. 

The fraudster kept threatening the victim in the name of National Security Act, Money Laundering and made the victim transfer the funds.

After the money transfer, suddenly one amount of 20 Lakhs was returned to the victims account. The fraudster then made a WhatsApp call and instructed the victim to transfer the said amount to another bank account. At this moment the victim became suspicious. In total the victim has been cheated of over 1 Crore 3 Lakh rupees in a single day. 

Thereafter the victim contacted Adv Satya Muley, who then guided the victim to file a FIR in the cyber cell of Pune Police. 

Representing the victim Adv. Satya Muley stated that, these days online and mobile frauds have become rampant and common citizens must remain vigilant about such unknown callers, messages, and emails. 

The current example is of a very serious crim and the victim has lost almost his entire savings at a senor age. 

Another fraud that is newly come to light is that a person calls on behalf of MNGL and tries to induce the MNGLS customers to download an application through which money of the victims is siphoned off. 

Another modus operandi is of providing work from home. These fraudsters send WhatsApp messages offering task-based income targeting mainly people who are looking to earn additional income or home makers who are looking make some earning from home itself. These fraudsters eventually make the victims deposit their hard-earned money in unknown accounts under the pretext of high returns. 

Blackmailing by female fraudsters is also very common. Victims fearing shame do not come forward to approach the Police.

The law is very clear. But due to advancement of technology these fraudsters always come up with innovative ways of conning people who are not very tech savvy. 

People who are victims of such frauds must approach the Police to register a complaint and in case of doubts can seek advise from their known legal adviser.