By Neeraj Kumar
Patna: A retired doctor from Saharsa, Bihar, has fallen victim to a sophisticated cyber fraud, losing ₹74 lakh after being “digitally arrested” by fraudsters posing as officers from the Enforcement Directorate (ED). The incident, which took place on 6 December, has been reported to the Cyber Police Station in Patna.
The retired NMCH doctor was at his home in Saharsa when he received a call from an unknown number. The caller introduced himself as an ED officer and accused the doctor of possessing assets disproportionate to his income. He threatened the doctor with arrest unless he travelled to Mumbai for questioning. Terrified, the elderly doctor explained his inability to travel due to his age, prompting the fraudsters to ask him to come to Patna instead.
Upon arriving in Patna, the doctor was instructed to book a hotel room, where he received a video call from the fraudsters. The caller, dressed in a uniform, claimed to be an ED officer and introduced two others as part of the investigation team. To further intimidate the doctor, the fraudsters sent him a fake arrest warrant and other fabricated legal documents via WhatsApp.
The fraudsters demanded the doctor mortgage his gold jewellery and transfer the funds to a specified account. They assured him the money would be returned after the investigation if no irregularities were found. Under duress, the doctor complied, mortgaging his jewellery and transferring ₹74 lakh through RTGS. The fraudsters even sent him a fake No Objection Certificate (NOC) after receiving the money.
Throughout the ordeal, the fraudsters kept the doctor on video calls, ensuring he did not consult anyone. It was only after confiding in acquaintances that the doctor realised he had been deceived.
The Cyber Police in Patna are investigating the case, urging citizens to remain vigilant and verify the authenticity of such calls to avoid falling prey to similar scams.
