Kothagudem cybercrime police foils digital arrest extortion attempt, saves elderly doctor

The Telangana Cyber Security Bureau foiled a digital arrest extortion attempt in Kothagudem, rescuing Dr Buddharaju Subbaraju and his family from cyber-fraudsters posing as CBI officers. Police intervention prevented financial loss and ended three days of harassment

Kothagudem: The District Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (D4C) of the Telangana Cyber Security Bureau (TGCSB) foiled a major digital arrest extortion attempt and rescued an elderly doctor and family from three days of harassment by cyber-fraudsters posing as CBI officers.

According to an official release, 80-year-old Dr Buddharaju Subbaraju, who runs Neela Nursing Home at Bhadrachalam, received WhatsApp video calls on November 20 from offenders impersonating CBI officials.

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The fraudsters claimed that a bank account opened with his Aadhaar card in Mumbai was linked to over 100 criminal cases being investigated by the CBI. To terrorise the doctor, his daughter-in-law and minor granddaughter, they told them not to inform anyone, claiming they were under CBI surveillance.

They further instructed the family to maintain hourly video-call contact. They collected complete bank information, including details of amounts available in accounts and fixed deposits. They coerced them to prematurely withdraw a fixed deposit and prepare to transfer funds.

The doctor’s assistant grew suspicious when the family stopped responding to calls and the doctor continued attending the hospital. On insisting to know their trouble, the family disclosed the matter. He then informed D4C Kothagudem DSP Ashok Babu over phone on the night of November 23.

DSP Ashok Babu and Inspector Jitender reached Dr Subbaraju’s residence the same night and cut off communication with the fraudsters. Their timely intervention prevented a major financial loss and ended the family’s psychological distress.

Tracing of the fraudsters’ IP addresses, analysis of call-routing paths and examination of device identifiers are in progress in coordination with service providers and national cybercrime platforms to identify the originators and disrupt the network.

TGCSB Director Shikha Goel appreciated the prompt and professional approach of D4C, Kothagudem DSP Ashok Babu and Inspector Jitender.