WhatsApp call leads to fake police threat, multiple payments over six days
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A 75-year-old Byculla resident was allegedly cheated of Rs 2.23 lakh between December 4 and December 9 by cyber fraudsters posing as police officials and a fake YouTuber. The senior citizen first received a WhatsApp video call from an unknown woman.
He was later contacted by callers claiming to be police officials, who alleged that an obscene video involving him had surfaced online and threatened him with arrest. The accused then gave him the contact number of a man posing as a YouTuber, who claimed the video had been uploaded on social media and could be removed only after payment.
Fearing legal action and public embarrassment, the victim transferred Rs 2.23 lakh in multiple instalments to different bank accounts and UPI IDs. When the demands continued, he realised he had been cheated and approached the police. A case has been registered under Sections 66(C) and 66(D) of the IT Act and relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. Byculla police said efforts are on to trace the accused and the money trail.
Where to report?
>> Dial 1930 — National Cyber Crime Helpline
>> Log a complaint at cybercrime.gov.in
>> Visit police station
>> Report fraud immediately
>> Preserve evidence such as call numbers, screenshots, transaction IDs and chat logs
Police say
>> Police do not threaten arrest over phone or video calls
>> Arrests cannot be made without warrants
>> No warrant is served via WhatsApp or on phone
>> No money is ever demanded to stop legal action
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