Hans News Service Vijayawada

A retired engineer from Gurunanak Colony in Vijayawada was allegedly duped of Rs 10 crore by cyber fraudsters who posed as police officials and threatened him with a ‘digital arrest’. Based on a complaint lodged by the retired engineer, the Vijayawada cybercrime police registered a case on Tuesday. According to police, the victim received a phone call from unidentified persons about a week ago. The callers allegedly told him that his mobile number had surfaced in connection with several criminal cases and that cases had been registered against him. They subsequently contacted him through a video call and threatened him with a ‘digital arrest’. The fraudsters allegedly told the retired engineer that he would have to pay a large sum of money to avoid legal action. Frightened by their threats, the victim reportedly followed their instructions and transferred Rs.10 crore in four transactions from his Canara Bank account in Krishnalanka to bank accounts provided by the fraudsters. The victim became suspicious when the callers demanded more money and approached the Vijayawada cybercrime police on Tuesday. Police registered a case and launched an investigation. The victim told the police that he had withdrawn money from his fixed deposits to make the payments to the fraudsters.

Based on the details provided by the victim, cybercrime police traced the bank accounts used by the fraudsters and froze two accounts containing around Rs 7 crore. Police are investigating the case and trying to identify those involved.