A mother-daughter pair was defrauded of Rs 36.58 lakh and placed under digital arrest.

In a startling instance of cybercrime, a mother-daughter pair was defrauded of Rs 36.58 lakh and placed under "digital arrest" in Noida. Fraudsters impersonating government and police officials tortured Taruna Gaba and her mother Shashi Gaba psychologically and threatened them constantly. The incident has raised awareness of the growing threat of cybercrime throughout the city.

Cyber News Dec 8, 2024 0 20 Add to Reading List

In a startling instance of cybercrime, a mother-daughter pair was defrauded of Rs 36.58 lakh and placed under "digital arrest" in Noida. Fraudsters impersonating government and police officials tortured Taruna Gaba and her mother Shashi Gaba psychologically and threatened them constantly. The incident has raised awareness of the growing threat of cybercrime throughout the city.

The Ordeal's Beginning
The ordeal started in late November when Taruna Gaba, a recent MBA graduate looking for work, got a call from an unidentified number. The caller identified himself as a representative of the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) and charged her with money laundering and trafficking in human organs, all of which were purportedly connected to her Aadhaar card.

The scammers forced Taruna to take part in an online interrogation under the pretense of being a member of an official investigation. They escalated their threats by using Skype to link her to fictitious "Mumbai Police officers" and even issued a bogus arrest warrant to make their scam seem authentic.

An Intricate Fraud
By promising that the money will be returned following the "investigation," the thieves tricked the victims into sending Rs 36.58 lakh in two installments. Additionally, they gathered private information about the Gaba family's residence and exerted pressure on them to provide more money. The victims resisted the scammers' demands for more money, even though they broke fixed deposits and mortgaged property.

Due to the threats from the crooks, Taruna and her mother were unable to seek aid and lived in constant fear for four terrifying days. They complied with the scammers' demands due to psychological pressure, fear of public humiliation, and fear of legal repercussions.

Police Intervention and Recuperation Activities
The Gaba family eventually informed the authorities about the incident after the scammers cut off communication. By moving quickly, the police were able to file a case against the cybercriminals and freeze Rs 2 lakh of the stolen money. Now, efforts are being made to find the criminals.

In a public advisory, the Noida Police have urged people to be on the lookout for scams of this nature and to report any suspicious behavior right once. According to a police spokeswoman, "fraudsters frequently use psychological manipulation and fake documentation to gain their victims' trust."

A Developing Cyberthreat
This case is a sobering reminder of how sophisticated cybercrime is becoming in India. Fraudsters are employing sophisticated strategies to take advantage of gullible people, such as phony calls, falsified documents, and online impersonation. The significance of cybersecurity awareness and the necessity of first verifying any claims made by unknown callers before acting have been underlined by authorities.

This incident highlights the critical need for improved security and public awareness as cybercrimes continue to escalate. People are urged to verify their login credentials, refrain from disclosing private information online, and get in touch with law enforcement right once if they suspect fraud.