By Neeraj Kumar
Patna: Cybercriminals are continuously devising new ways to scam innocent people. In a recent twist, these fraudsters are impersonating high-ranking officials or police officers, claiming that a family member is involved in a scandal. If you receive such a call from an unknown number, do not panic or act hastily. Always verify the information first—your bank account could be the real target of a cybercriminal.
One such incident occurred in Patna, where Ashok Kumar Singh, a resident of Kachchi Dargah, Didarganj, fell victim to a scam. Singh received a call from an individual who introduced himself as the Deputy Inspector General (DIG) of Patna. The caller claimed that Singh’s son, Prakash, was involved in some unlawful activity. To save his son, the caller demanded ₹1.5 lakh to be transferred to a specified account.
The scam was made convincing by the caller’s detailed knowledge of Prakash’s educational institution, which led Ashok Kumar Singh to believe the call was genuine. In a panic, Singh tried to contact his son, but his phone was unreachable, further reinforcing his fear that Prakash was in police custody.
In desperation, Singh scanned a QR code sent by the fraudster and transferred ₹75,000. Shortly after, Singh’s son contacted him, confused by the claim that he had been arrested. Realising he had been duped, Ashok Kumar Singh immediately lodged a complaint with the cyber police station in Patna, hoping to track down the cybercriminals.
This incident serves as a reminder to remain cautious and verify the facts before responding to any such distressing calls. Cybercrime is on the rise, and awareness is the first line of defence.
