A 49-year-old lady scientist working with Bengaluru’s Indian Institute of Science (IISc) fell sufferer to a classy cyber fraud and misplaced Rs 8.8 lakh to a fraudster who posed as an officer of the Central Bureau of Investigation, the police mentioned.
Though the crime started on September 16, it got here to mild final week after the scientist filed a police criticism. In keeping with the police, the scientist obtained a video name saying that she had been implicated in 17 felony circumstances involving human trafficking. The caller claimed that the scientist’s cellular quantity had been used for felony actions below CBI investigation, creating instant panic and worry.
The fraudster displayed fabricated paperwork, together with a faux arrest warrant supposedly authorised by the Supreme Court docket. He threatened imminent arrest whereas concurrently providing help, convincing the girl to switch Rs 8.8 lakh on-line between September 17 and 19.
The fraud was uncovered when the scientist mentioned the matter together with her relations, who urged her to contact authorities. Primarily based on her criticism, the Central Division cybercrime police registered a case towards unknown individuals below the Data Know-how Act and Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita part 318 (dishonest and fraudulently inducing property supply) on September 24.
“We’re ascertaining from the place the decision originated and we can get particulars solely later. Nevertheless, because the professor approached the police late, it will be powerful to recuperate the cash,” a police officer mentioned.