SRINAGAR: Cyber Police have apprehended three individuals accused of orchestrating a sophisticated scam that defrauded a senior citizen of Rs 21 lakh. The fraudsters posed as officials from prominent agencies to manipulate and extort the victim.
At a press briefing, Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Srinagar, Imtiyaz Hussain, revealed that the accused impersonated representatives of the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) and the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). They falsely accused the victim of involvement in a Rs 6.8 crore money laundering case and used fake arrest warrants to pressure him into transferring funds.
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According to the SSP, the scammers created a climate of fear by labeling their interactions as a “national security matter.” They instructed the victim to avoid contact with others, secure his residence, and assured him a quick refund. Under this psychological duress, the victim prematurely liquidated his fixed deposits and transferred Rs 21 lakh to a fraudulent HDFC Bank account.
Following a formal complaint, Cyber Police Kashmir registered FIR No. 26/2024 and launched a detailed investigation. Leveraging advanced technology, police teams tracked the suspects across Uttar Pradesh, Delhi, and Punjab.
The operation resulted in the arrest of Gaurav Kumar from Shamli, Uttar Pradesh, and Gurpreet Singh and Ujjawal Chauhan, both residents of Patiala, Punjab. During raids, authorities seized a range of incriminating items, including four mobile phones, a MacBook, 13 SIM cards, 24 debit cards, 20 chequebooks, 10 bank passbooks, and other evidence.
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Police confirmed that Rs 4.13 lakh has already been recovered and credited back to the complainant’s account. The suspects face charges of fraud, conspiracy, and coercion, and further investigations are underway to identify additional accomplices and dismantle the network behind the scam.
SSP Hussain emphasized that the concept of a “digital arrest” is entirely fictitious and stressed the importance of public awareness, particularly among senior citizens, to prevent such crimes. Citizens are advised to exercise caution with sensitive financial details and verify the credentials of anyone claiming to represent government agencies.
“Legitimate authorities never demand payments, sensitive information, or conduct arrests via video calls or phone conversations,” police reiterated. Suspicious activities should be immediately reported to the Cyber Police or the cybercrime helpline.