Puttur: Cyber conmen pose as CBI & policemen, recreate court scene to dupe doctor!

Team Udayavani, Apr 2, 2024, 9:36 AM IST

The cybercriminals who duped a doctor in Puttur used highly sophisticated methods. According to reports, the doctor, working at a private hospital, fell prey to a sophisticated scam orchestrated by fraudsters posing as CBI and Delhi police officials.

According to the complaint lodged by the doctor, he received a call from an unidentified number on the morning of March 28. The doctor eventually ended up transferring Rs 16 lakh to conmen.

The fraudsters, cunningly posing as CBI officials, went to great lengths to deceive the doctor. They sent photos of purported identification documents, including PAN and Aadhaar cards, along with images of the hospital, to the doctor via WhatsApp. Additionally, they forwarded various documents related to a fabricated court case to further convince the doctor of their authenticity.

With mounting anxiety, the doctor succumbed to their demands and parted with a significant sum.

The fraudsters also blocked the doctor’s calls, making it appear as though he was inaccessible. Even when colleagues attempted to reach him, they received messages indicating that he was either “not reachable” or “busy”.

When the perpetrators demanded a second payment, the doctor confided in a close friend. Despite being warned of a potential scam, it was too late, as the money had already been transferred.

Adding to the complexity, all documents shared via WhatsApp were deleted after being viewed.

The fraudulent scheme was elaborate. The impostors, posing as Delhi Police personnel, informed the doctor that he was implicated in a case involving drug trafficking, illegal funds, and human trafficking. They further claimed that a warrant had been issued for his arrest and that he was required to appear before a CBI court in Delhi.

To substantiate their claims, they even conducted a video call, displaying individuals purportedly resembling CBI officers and showcasing scenes from what appeared to be a court hall with judges presiding.