A 72-year-old woman from Kudappanakunnu, Kerala, fell prey to a sophisticated internet fraud, losing Rs 72 lakh. Scammers masquerading as RBI and CBI officials misled her into revealing key bank credentials, ultimately emptying her funds.

In Short

  • A 72-year-old woman from Kerala lost Rs 72 lakh in an online scam
  • Scammers posed as RBI and CBI officials put the elderly on digital arrest
  • They managed to get her card details to siphon off money

The victim of a growing network of online frauds is a 72-year-old lady from Kudappanakunnu, Kerala. She reportedly received a call from someone posing as an RBI official informing her that her credit card had been blocked because of security concerns. After the call, the elderly woman attempted to unblock her card, but the scammers took advantage of her efforts and stole Rs 72 lakh from her bank account. This second caller alleged that a money laundering case had been registered against her, which further heightened the elderly woman’s fear and anxiety.

The elderly woman was requested to remain online and was placed under “virtual arrest,” much as in earlier instances of internet fraud when victims were called by fictitious CBI agents and then placed under “digital arrest.” Throughout this time, the con artists persisted in communicating with the victim via video chats and other channels, persuading her of the gravity of her circumstances.  They even presented her with fake documents, including a falsified FIR and what appeared to be official papers from the Supreme Court of India and the RBI, lending an air of legitimacy to their claims.

The woman was allegedly forced to provide her private bank account information during the fictitious interview, with the excuse that it was required for the current inquiry. She gave the information, thinking it would assist in resolving the issue, having faith that the calls were actual authorities. But the moment the con artists got their hands on her data, they moved Rs 72 lakh out of her accounts and into their own. Although they informed her that the money would be reimbursed, the con artists quickly severed all ties, depleting her resources.

How to be secure

Since older people are sometimes less tech-savvy than younger people, fraudsters have targeted older people more frequently in recent years. This is by no means the first instance of an internet scam aimed at an elderly woman. Scammers take advantage of elderly people’s infirmities and lack of computer literacy to get their victims to give them money or financial information.

It’s critical to educate senior citizens about the dangers to protect them from these types of fraud. Urge them to remain watchful at all times and to never trust a caller requesting private information from the internet. Always confirm the caller’s identity. Sensitive information is never requested over the phone by reputable organizations like banks, the RBI, or the CBI. If you get a call like this, end the call and give the institution a call at their official number. No matter who they seem to be, never give out your personal or financial information, such as bank account data, card details, or OTPs, to anybody over the phone or online.

Notably, con artists frequently employ intimidation techniques to control their victims, such as threats of lawsuits or arrests. Remain composed and consult reliable sources for guidance before acting. Inform your bank and the authorities right away if you believe there has been fraudulent activity. Sometimes taking immediate action can stop financial loss.

Recall that the first line of defense is awareness. Keep up with prevalent scams and enlighten your family members, particularly the elderly, who are frequently the target of scammers because they tend to be trustworthy.