A Bengaluru man named KJ Rao fell victim to a sophisticated online scam, losing Rs 59 lakh to fraudsters who staged an elaborate fake legal trial. On September 11, Rao received an automated call threatening to block his mobile numbers. He was then connected to a person posing as a crime branch officer from Mumbai, who falsely accused him of being involved in money laundering.
To add to the deception, Rao received a WhatsApp video call from another person dressed as a police officer, claiming that his Aadhaar details had been misused in criminal activities. Although Rao offered to visit the local police station to clear the matter, he was instructed to stay put and cooperate with the “officers.”
The scammers then connected him to a fabricated Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) office, where Rao was told he was under “digital arrest” and instructed to remain confined in his room. Throughout this time, the scammers kept a close watch over him through a Skype call.
The scam took a more elaborate turn when Rao was connected to a fake courtroom, where a person impersonating a judge presided over a false trial. He was accused of multiple charges and ordered to transfer Rs 59 lakh to several bank accounts under the pretense of a court order and Reserve Bank of India guidelines. Believing he was in serious legal trouble, Rao transferred Rs 50 lakh and Rs 9 lakh to two different accounts over two days.
The scammers abruptly ended the Skype call on September 13, after which Rao realized he had been tricked. He immediately reported the scam to the Indiranagar police station.
To avoid falling victim to such scams, it’s important to be cautious when receiving video calls from unknown numbers and always verify the caller’s identity through known methods. Never share personal or financial information online, and be wary of anyone pressuring you to make quick payments. Always report suspicious activity to the relevant authorities.