Hyderabad: Cyber fraudsters posing as Mumbai Cybercrime Branch officials cheat private employee to tune of Rs. 2.9 lakh

The fraudster also alleged that 25 suspicious accounts were created under the victim’s name across India, with a total of Rs 25 lakh credited to one of these accounts.

Hyderabad: A 32-year-old private employee from the city was cheated by cyber fraudsters to the tune of Rs 2.9 lakh, posing as Mumbai Cybercrime Branch officials.

The victim had received an automated phone call through an IVRS system claiming to be from the Mumbai Cyber Crime Branch. The caller informed him that suspicious money laundering transactions were conducted on the victim’s name. Subsequently, the fraudster made a WhatsApp video call, claiming multiple accounts had been opened in the victim’s name at the Mumbai Bandra Kurla Branch.

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The fraudster also alleged that 25 suspicious accounts were created under the victim’s name across India, with a total of Rs 25 lakh credited to one of these accounts.

Cybercrime officials said the fraudster insisted that if the victim transferred money, they could verify the transactions, and if the funds did not belong to him, the amount would be refunded within 15 minutes.

“The fraudster warned that this was a highly confidential matter involving several influential individuals, including bank managers, politicians, and police officers. They claimed a “truth test” was necessary to lift an arrest warrant allegedly issued against the victim,” officials said.

The fraudster sent several documents, including an ID card, a copy of the arrest warrant, and an acknowledgement letter purportedly from the Mumbai Crime Branch and the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). Under pressure, the victim made transactions.

After completing these transactions, the fraudster assured the victim that the arrest warrant would be revoked. However, they warned him not to disclose the matter to anyone.

Despite the assurances, the money was never credited back to the victim’s account.

Based on a complaint, the cybercrime police booked a case and took up investigation.