A woman officer from ONGC, Triveniben Patel, fell victim to a cyber crime scam that cost her ₹1.36 crore. The incident took place in the Gota area of Ahmedabad. Triveniben works as a senior assistant at ONGC. On May 31, she received a phone call from an unknown number claiming to be from the Telecom Regulatory Authority. The caller warned her that her phone would be turned off in two hours.
Shortly after, another person, dressed as a police officer, called claiming to be from the CBI. He informed her that there was ₹2 crore of black money linked to her Canara Bank account. This was a part of a larger money laundering scheme. The caller sent a message on WhatsApp with a letter that appeared to be from the Supreme Court.
Under pressure, Triveniben believed she could be arrested. The scammer showed her a video of a courtroom and claimed that the judge needed to verify her account balance through the RBI. Fearing for her safety, she transferred ₹36 lakh to another bank account.
The fraud did not stop there. The scammers continued to manipulate her into transferring more money. They convinced her to withdraw funds from her mother’s bank account and even from fixed deposits. In total, they managed to swindle ₹1.36 crore from her.
It was only after they demanded more money, including asking her to sell her house, that Triveniben recognized she had been scammed. She informed her relatives, who helped her understand the gravity of the situation.
The cyber crime department has registered a case and started an investigation into the matter. They urge everyone to be cautious and not to trust unknown callers, especially those claiming to be from government authorities.
Cyber crime is a growing concern in India. Many people still fall prey to scams despite frequent warnings. Authorities recommend that individuals verify any suspicious calls and report them immediately. Awareness is crucial in preventing such incidents in the future.
In conclusion, this incident highlights the need for better awareness about cyber crimes. People need to be more alert and informed about such scams to protect themselves from financial loss. Triveniben’s unfortunate experience serves as a reminder to stay vigilant in today’s digital world.
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