Retired Teacher In Tirupati Loses ₹40 Lakh To Cyber Fraudsters

The incident took place within the limits of the SVU Campus police station.

According to the police, the victim received a phone call from an unknown person claiming to be a CBI officer. The caller alleged that obscene messages had been sent from the victim’s mobile number to some women in Bengaluru. He claimed that an FIR had been registered.

The caller warned the victim of legal action and asked him to immediately report to the Bengaluru CBI office. This created in him fear and mental stress.

The fraudsters later contacted the victim through WhatsApp video calls and instructed him to keep the matter a secret, and not inform anyone at home. He was told to stay alone in a locked room, send regular confirmation messages and follow their instructions.

Under the pretext of a “priority investigation”, the gang demanded his bank account details and insisted that money had to be deposited to prove his innocence.

Believing in their claims, the victim transferred ₹40 lakh to different bank accounts provided by the fraudsters.

When the accused demanded more money, the victim approached the ISKCON branch of the SBI in Tirupati to make another transfer through RTGS. Bank officials grew suspicious after noticing the large amount being transferred to accounts in other states.

Sensing a possible cyber fraud, they immediately stopped the transaction and advised the victim to contact the cybercrime police.

Following a complaint, further losses were prevented due to the alertness of the bank staff, police said.

SP, Subba Rayudu, warned that agencies such as the CBI, police or courts never conduct inquiries through WhatsApp video calls. “Digital arrest” has no legal basis.

He advised the public not to share OTPs, bank details or personal information to strangers, and to report such incidents to the 1930 cybercrime helpline or at www.cybercrime.gov.in.