Daijiworld Media Network - Benglauru

Bengaluru, Sep 27: Cyber fraudsters have continued their malicious activities, this time targeting a woman scientist from the Indian Institute of Science (IISc).

The scientist was subjected to a three-day digital “arrest” scam and duped into transferring Rs 8.80 lac. The central division cyber police have registered a case against unknown suspects and are investigating the matter, according to officials.

On September 16, an unidentified person called the scientist, claiming to be a CBI officer. He warned her that “a SIM card in your name is being misused by others” and alleged that 17 cases, including human trafficking, had been registered in her name.

Another person later contacted her via video call, stating that the Supreme Court was examining the matter and threatened that she would be arrested if she did not cooperate. The fraudsters persuaded her that they would help if she followed their instructions and warned her not to inform her family, claiming that “if you tell anyone at home, personnel outside will immediately arrest you.”

Fearing that she was indeed under CBI scrutiny, the scientist complied and was virtually “digitally arrested” for three days. During this time, she transferred Rs 8.80 lac to the bank account provided by the fraudsters. When they demanded more money, she became suspicious. Upon discussing the incident with her family, she realised she had fallen victim to a cyber scam and lodged a complaint, albeit belatedly, police said.

The central cyber police are now probing the case to trace and apprehend the culprits involved in the elaborate scam.