Uppinangady resident escapes phone scam threat by fake CBI officer

Team Udayavani, Oct 1, 2024, 9:15 AM IST

An Uppinangady resident narrowly avoided falling victim to a phone scam, where the caller, posing as a CBI officer, attempted to extort money by making false accusations. The scam was averted due to the timely action and awareness of the resident.

Abbas, a resident of Bank Road in Uppinangady, received a call from an unknown number . The caller, speaking in Hindi, introduced himself as a CBI officer from the Delhi office. He mentioned Abbas’s son, a first-year engineering student, and threatened to arrest him immediately unless certain actions were taken. The phone number’s profile picture displayed an individual dressed like a police officer, and the name “CBI” was listed below the number, adding to the scam’s authenticity.

The family soon realized this was a scam aimed at extorting money through fear and intimidation. A police complaint was lodged after that incident.

Previous Kidnapping Scam Call

This was not the first time Abbas’s family had encountered such fraudulent calls. Previously, a relative’s daughter, studying in a private college in Mangaluru, had been the target of a similar scam. Her mother had received a distressing call claiming the girl had been kidnapped. The caller played a recording of someone crying, pleading to be rescued from kidnappers. The mother was alarmed, but the family acted swiftly, verifying that the girl was safe in her classroom.

Authorities are investigating these scams, and residents are urged to remain cautious and verify any suspicious calls, especially those involving threats or demands for money.