कृपया इसे हिंदी में पढ़ने के लिए यहाँ क्लिक करें
Indore, Madhya Pradesh – In a chilling case that has exposed the terrifying new tactics of cybercriminals, a retired doctor from Indore’s MGM Medical College has been duped of a staggering ₹4.50 crore. The fraudsters, posing as high-ranking officials, used intimidation, a fake online court, and the name of a high-profile businessman to create a month-long nightmare for the senior citizen, ultimately looting his life’s savings. The State Cyber Cell, which is investigating the case, has made a significant breakthrough by arresting three individuals, including a branch manager of the State Bank of India (SBI).
The Beginning of the Nightmare: A Call of Deception
The ordeal began when the retired professor, a 67-year-old resident of Indore, received a phone call from a person claiming to be an official from the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI). The caller accused the doctor of having an account linked to his Aadhaar card that was used in a massive money laundering scandal involving Mumbai-based businessman Naresh Goyal. To make the threat seem real, they correctly stated his Aadhaar number.
The Modus Operandi: Digital Arrest and a Fake Court
What followed was a month of psychological torture, now infamously known as “digital arrest.” The scammers kept the doctor on a continuous video call, monitoring his every move. He was told he couldn’t talk to anyone and was forced to stay at home, creating a sense of house arrest.
To complete their elaborate drama, the criminals even made the doctor “appear” in a fake online courtroom. He was presented before people impersonating magistrates and lawyers who threatened him with severe legal consequences. The victim, a law-abiding senior citizen, was terrified into submission.
The Heist: Crores Transferred in Six Transactions
Under immense fear and pressure, the doctor did as he was told. He broke his fixed deposits and, over six different transactions, transferred a total of ₹4.35 crore into various bank accounts provided by the fraudsters. This continued for an entire month, with the criminals on a video call even when he went to the bank to make the transfers. The scam only came to light when the doctor, having exhausted his savings, was about to mortgage his house and a suspicious bank employee alerted his relatives.
The Investigation and the Shocking Arrests
The Cyber Cell, led by Station In-charge Sarita Singh, immediately swung into action. They tracked the money trail, which led them across the country to accounts in Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, and Telangana, before the funds were moved abroad.
The investigation led to the arrest of three key accused:
- Sadik Patel: An SBI branch manager from Ujjain, who provided the bank accounts for the fraudulent transactions in exchange for a commission.
- Sohel Khokhar: A resident of Ratlam who also facilitated bank accounts.
- Shahid Khan: An associate from Ujjain involved in the racket.
While these three are now behind bars, the Cyber Cell believes they are part of a much larger international gang. The hunt for the masterminds is on.
A Social Message for All
This deeply disturbing case is a wake-up call for everyone, especially our senior citizens. Fraudsters are becoming increasingly sophisticated, using fear and intimidation to bypass our better judgment. It’s a reminder that no government agency—be it the police, CBI, or any court—will ever ask you to transfer money as part of an investigation. If you receive such a call, stay calm, disconnect immediately, and report it to the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal at 1930. Your alertness is your best defense against these digital predators. Let us work together to protect our elders and our communities from such heartless crimes.
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