Fake CBI gang dupes retired executive of Rs. 85 lakh in elaborate scam
Fake CBI gang dupes retired executive of ₹ 85 lakh in elaborate scam
A retired senior executive of a multinational firm was coerced into paying ₹ 85 lakh by a gang posing as officers from CBI, customs, narcotics, and income-tax departments via Skype. The scam has led to police investigations in both Visakhapatnam, where the fraud occurred, and Delhi.
The gang transferred the money by cheque to a company called ‘Rana Garments’, which held an account at HDFC Bank in Delhi’s Uttam Nagar. The funds were then distributed across 105 accounts throughout India, according to the first information report (FIR) filed with the police in Visakhapatnam.
“I had three years of service left but took voluntary retirement to prepare my son for college abroad. I received my retirement settlement on May 2, and my son’s visa appointment was on May 17. But on May 14, I was duped by the gang into sending ₹ 85 lakh, which they claimed would be returned after checking my records,” said the distraught 57-year-old retired associate general manager of a Germany-based pharma firm.
The Visakhapatnam Crime Branch has taken over the case and is investigating leads. The retired officer suspects insider involvement at the bank, as the gang was aware of the exact amount he received after retirement. “The gang instructed me to go to the nearest HDFC Bank and drop the cheque,” he added. The bank has not commented on the progress of the investigation but is reportedly cooperating with the authorities.
The retired officer questioned the lack of proper Know Your Customer (KYC) checks for Rana Garments by the HDFC Bank branch in Uttam Nagar. Police found that Rana Garments’ address was occupied by another company and the owner remains untraceable.
According to the FIR, the retired officer received a call from someone identifying as “DCP Cyber Crime Balsing Rajput” after his retirement savings were credited. The caller claimed the officer’s name appeared in several narcotics and money laundering cases, and his Aadhaar was linked to these crimes. The fake DCP then connected to a supposed senior officer who suggested filing an FIR against the retired executive.
“I was under immense pressure and threatened with jail. The fake DCP, after discussing with his ‘boss’, said I looked innocent and should pay ₹ 85 lakh for investigation, promising to return the money if no wrongdoing was found,” the retired officer recounted. The ‘interrogation’ over Skype lasted for two days, during which he was not allowed to leave home or contact anyone.
The retired officer eventually deposited the cheque at the HDFC Bank branch in Visakhapatnam, believing it would be returned after verification. Police have not disclosed whether they have tracked down any of the 105 accounts that received the transferred money.
