Mechanical Engineer Falls Victim to Cyber Fraud, Duped of Rs 3.46 Lakh After Digital Arrest

A mechanical engineer was held captive digitally for six days by cybercriminals and lost Rs 3.46 lakh, according to police reports. The victim, Mohit, stated that the fraudsters forced him to confine himself in a room and monitored him via his phone camera. This incident highlights the growing threat of cyber fraud.

Mohit, employed at a factory on Ballabgarh-Tigaon Road, received a call on December 6 from an unknown number. The caller claimed to be from a courier company, alleging that a parcel in his name containing drugs, passports, a laptop, USD 5,000, and bank documents was intercepted at Delhi Airport. Mohit denied any connection to this parcel.

Cyber Fraud Tactics

The fraudster insisted that Mohit's Aadhar card was used for the parcel. The call was then transferred to another person posing as a cyber cell officer. This accomplice instructed Mohit to testify in court. During a video conference with individuals appearing as Delhi Police officers, Mohit was accused of money laundering and asked for his bank details.

The fraudsters instructed Mohit to return home to Sector 55 and isolate himself in a room. "I kept my phone camera on day and night as instructed," Mohit explained. They extracted all his banking information, claiming his funds would be transferred to a dummy RBI account.

Uncovering the Deception

On December 12, the criminals mistakenly left their microphones on during a conversation. Mohit overheard them and became suspicious. He promptly ended the call and reported the incident to the police. This quick action helped him escape further loss.

A senior officer from the cyber police confirmed that an FIR has been filed and investigations are underway. This case serves as a reminder of the sophisticated methods used by cybercriminals and the importance of vigilance in protecting personal information.