Cyber criminals have cheated a resident of Ayodhya by carrying out a so-called “digital arrest” and extorting ₹5.5 lakh by threatening him with a fake FIR. A case has been registered at Kotwali Nagar police station, and an investigation is currently underway.
How the Cyber Fraud Took Place
According to the police, Asharam Gupta, a resident of Adarsh Nagar Colony, received a phone call on August 11 last year from an unknown mobile number. The caller falsely claimed that money related to a cyber fraud had been credited to Gupta’s bank account and that an FIR was about to be registered against him.
By creating fear and panic, the cyber criminal pressured the victim into transferring ₹5.5 lakh to another bank account. After the call ended, Gupta realized he had been cheated and immediately reported the incident to the cybercrime helpline.
Stolen Money Put on Hold
Following the complaint, the cyber police initiated an investigation and informed the victim that the RTGS-transferred amount has been placed on hold in suspicious bank accounts.
Kotwali Nagar SHO Ashwini Pandey stated that after completing the verification process, an FIR has now been registered and efforts are underway to recover the defrauded amount.
Police Launch Awareness Campaign Against Cyber Crime
In view of the rising number of cyber fraud cases, the police have launched a district-wide awareness campaign.
On the instructions of SSP Dr Gaurav Grover, all police station heads have been directed to hold meetings with cyber volunteers and Jan Seva Kendra operators. These sessions focus on educating the public about:
- Preventing cyber fraud
- Toll-free emergency numbers
- Digital safety and secure online transactions
People are also being informed about the Cyber Helpline 1930, the official portal cybercrime.gov.in, and cyber help desks available at police stations.
Important Cyber Safety Tips for Citizens
- If you receive an OTP without initiating any transaction, stay alert immediately.
- Never scan QR codes sent by unknown persons to receive payments.
- Avoid using credit cards unnecessarily.
- Do not take instant loans from suspicious apps that collect personal documents and later blackmail users.
- Be cautious of frauds promising lottery winnings or housing schemes.
- Never contact bank support numbers found through Google searches.
- Do not share personal or banking details with callers from unknown numbers.
- BSNL users should ignore messages claiming SIM blockage or KYC expiry and never call the numbers provided.
- Avoid accepting friend requests from strangers on social media platforms like Facebook and WhatsApp.
- Be wary of too-good-to-be-true online offers.
- Remember: Scanning a QR code always deducts money, it never credits it.
- Pensioners should visit the treasury office directly for account-related issues.
- Keep your mobile number linked to your bank account updated and change ATM PINs regularly.
This incident highlights the growing threat of cyber fraud and the importance of staying vigilant in the digital age.
