Man dials 0, gets on a video call, loses Rs 9 lakh

In yet another case of cyber fraud, a 59-year-old railway official from Mumbai lost Rs 9 lakh after receiving a call from scammers posing as CBI officials. While the incident mirrors other reported cases of money laundering and fake parcel scams, this particular case took a unique turn when the victim was connected to a video call with another individual pretending to be a judge after pressing “0” on his phone.
According to PTI, the victim, who works as the Principal Chief Electrical Engineer (Construction) at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT) and resides in Colaba, received a voice message on his mobile phone on September 16. The message informed him that his phone number would be blocked within two hours unless he pressed “0” for further queries. Believing it to be a warning, the victim followed the instructions, which initiated a video call.
During the video call, a person introduced himself as a CBI officer and accused the victim of being involved in a money laundering case. The scammer claimed that the victim’s mobile number was linked to a bank account used for fraudulent activities. Shocked and frightened, the victim denied any wrongdoing and informed the caller that he did not possess a second mobile number, contrary to the accusations.
The fraudster then pretended to escalate the situation, alleging that the victim’s number was associated with a bank account involved in a Rs 5.8 million money laundering case. To make the story more convincing, the scammer added that the case was linked to 247 other accounts, one of which belonged to well-known business figure Naresh Goyal.
Around 2 p.m. the same day, the victim received another call. This time, the fraudsters intensified their demands, asking for personal details about his family, finances, and property. Over the course of this call, which lasted nearly 20 hours, the victim was essentially placed under “digital house arrest.” The fraudsters kept him engaged on the video call, preventing him from consulting anyone or seeking external advice.
But that’s not all. After a few hours of this digital confinement, the scammers set up a fake online “court hearing,” where another individual, posing as a judge, joined the call. The fake judge informed the victim that he needed to deposit Rs 9 lakh into a specific bank account for his case to be heard and resolved. Feeling pressured by the serious allegations, the victim followed the instructions, visited his bank, and transferred the money—only realising later that he had been tricked.
The victim later registered a complaint with the authorities.
Notably, while this case is similar to other fake CBI scams we’ve been reporting for months, it is alarming to see how scammers are evolving their methods to deceive people. They are even setting up fake online courts to intimidate victims. Amid these rising cases, it is crucial for individuals to stay vigilant and protect themselves from falling prey to such scams.
Here are a few safety tips to follow to stay safe:
– If you receive a suspicious call from someone claiming to be a government official or law enforcement officer, ask for identification and contact the relevant agency directly through official channels to verify their claims.
– Never disclose sensitive information such as financial details, property information, or family backgrounds to strangers over the phone, especially if contacted unexpectedly.
– Be wary of voice messages or texts that pressure you to take immediate action or make financial transactions. Fraudsters often create a sense of urgency to manipulate victims.
– If you suspect any fraudulent activity, report it to the police or cybercrime authorities without delay. Quick action may help prevent further damage.