Cyber fraudsters dupe elderly couple from Hyderabad to tune of Rs. 10.61 cr

The fraudsters even sent letters through WhatsApp purportedly from the Enforcement Directorate (ED) and Income Tax (IT) Department, to make the claims appear credible.

Hyderabad: An elderly couple from the city was duped by cyber fraudsters to the tune of Rs 10.61 crore allegedly with threats of ‘digital arrest’ and various scare tactics to deceive them. The Telangana Cyber Security Bureau (TGCSB) is currently investigating the case after the couple filed a formal complaint.

The victim, a 73-year-old man, had been hospitalised in June, when he received a call from someone claiming to be an official from the SBI. The caller falsely informed him that a bank account had been opened using his Aadhaar card details in Mumbai and attempts were being made to withdraw money from it.

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When the elderly man denied having any bank account in Mumbai, the caller suggested that he file a complaint with the Mumbai police and provided a phone number. He was further informed that his credentials were misused to open a bank account involved in money laundering.

The fraudsters even sent letters through WhatsApp purportedly from the Enforcement Directorate (ED) and Income Tax (IT) Department, to make the claims appear credible.

The victim was told he needed to prove his innocence and show that his assets, as well as those in his wife’s name, were not linked to any unlawful activities. They further assured him the money would be returned within three days.

The cybercriminals conducted several ‘investigations’ through video calls, dressed as police officers, which further intimidated the couple. Under pressure, the elderly couple transferred Rs 10.61 crore in installments. After the funds were transferred, the fraudsters ceased all communication. The couple realised they had been scammed and lodged a complaint with the TGCSB.

These accounts were traced to locations in Jhansi, Gorakhpur, Varanasi in Uttar Pradesh, as well as Bengaluru, Gurugram in Haryana, and various places in Bihar and Manipur.

Investigations revealed that all these accounts were “mule accounts”—bank accounts provided to criminals for commission purposes.