She was defrauded after receiving an automated message from "TRAI" stating that all numbers registered in her name would be blocked within two hours.
A 36-year-old woman from Hyderabad, employed in the private sector, was defrauded of Rs 44 lakh after receiving an automated message from "TRAI" stating that all numbers registered in her name would be blocked within two hours.
The message said that an FIR had already been lodged in her name at the Andheri police station for illegal advertisements and harassment messages, and instructed her to dial a provided number for more information.
The fraudster provided the victim with full details of the FIR and offered to connect her call to the Andheri police station to obtain a clarification letter, assuring her that this would prevent TRAI from blocking her number. When the victim connected with the "cyber crime department at the Andheri police station", the investigation officer (who was actually the fraudster) asked for her Aadhaar number, claiming it was necessary for a background check before providing clarification. Meanwhile, a voice in the background echoed her Aadhaar number and began shouting for her arrest, claiming she was wanted in a Naresh Goyal money-laundering case.
The fraudster informed the victim that during a raid on Naresh Goyal's property, an ATM card in her name was found, and Rs 6.8 crore in money-laundering had been conducted from that account. He assured her that if she was innocent, her case would be prioritized and processed online. Although the fraudster claimed to believe in her innocence, he said that the Supreme Court required evidence to clear her of the arrest warrant.
The fraudster forwarded letters to her from the "Supreme Court" and the "RBI" accusing her of money-laundering. He said that the information was top secret, and warned her that if she disclosed any details she would face arrest and fines, and perhaps even the death sentence.
In the RBI letter, which bore the name of Shaktikanta Das, it was said that to avoid arrest, the victim needed to submit all her money to the RBI for verification. If cleared, they would exonerate her of the charges and of having received a commission from Naresh Goyal. The fraudster initiated the "process" by sending her a link to the Supreme Court website, instructing her to input the last six digits of her Aadhaar number and click on "Civil Appeal", which would generate a Supreme Court order for depositing funds into an RBI bank account.
The fraudster convinced the victim to liquidate her mutual funds and transfer her savings and fixed deposits. Ultimately, he made her perform G Pay transactions totalling Rs 43,40,000 from her bank account. After the transfer, the victim received a letter from the RBI stating that her money would be refunded once the full amount was verified. However, after the funds were transferred, the fraudster stopped interacting with her and did not refund the money. When the victim attempted to call the number again, there was no response. She subsequently lodged an online complaint by calling 1930.