Cyber fraud is becoming a growing threat, and even highly educated professionals like doctors are falling victim. A recent case in Kerala highlights how a doctor from Changanassery avoided losing ₹5 lakh to scammers and recovered ₹4.2 lakh with quick action.
What Happened?
A doctor from Changanassery was targeted by cybercriminals posing as Mumbai Police officers. The scammers accused the doctor of being involved in illegal activities and threatened him with serious consequences unless he transferred ₹5 lakh to a North Indian bank account.
Panicked by the call, the doctor visited the Perunna branch of the State Bank of India (SBI) to make the transfer. Thankfully, the bank’s security systems flagged the transaction as suspicious due to its unusual nature and alerted the local police immediately.
Swift Action by Authorities
Upon receiving the alert, officers from the Changanassery police, under the guidance of the DySP, quickly investigated the matter. They visited the doctor’s residence and discovered that he had been receiving video calls from scammers pretending to be Mumbai Police officers. These fraudsters had created a fake scenario, threatening the doctor with a “digital arrest” to scare him into transferring money.
The situation escalated when the fraudsters called again during the investigation. This time, the police answered the call, but upon noticing the officers in uniform, the scammers disconnected and switched off their phones.
How the Money Was Recovered
The police registered the fraud case with 1930, the national cybercrime helpline, immediately after learning about the transaction. Thanks to their quick action, ₹4.2 lakh of the ₹5 lakh was retrieved before the scammers could fully transfer the funds.
Unfortunately, the fraudsters managed to withdraw ₹4.3 lakh from the victim’s account before the transaction was blocked. However, the coordinated efforts of the Thiruvananthapuram Cyber Operation Team, SBI, and Changanassery Police ensured that the financial loss was minimized. Authorities are now working to trace the fraudsters and recover the remaining amount.
Important Lessons for Doctors and Professionals
- Stay Alert to Scams: Always verify the identity of anyone claiming to be a police officer or government official over the phone.
- Be Skeptical of Threatening Calls: Scammers often use threats to create panic. Stay calm and take your time to assess the situation.
- Avoid Immediate Money Transfers: Never transfer money under pressure. Consult with your bank or local authorities if you suspect fraud.
- Know Your Resources: Save the national cybercrime helpline number (1930) and report any suspicious financial activity immediately.
- Trust Bank Security Systems: Banks often detect unusual transactions. If flagged, take it seriously and cooperate with their instructions.
Conclusion
This incident is a reminder that anyone can be targeted by cybercriminals. However, quick thinking, strong collaboration between banks and authorities, and timely reporting can minimize losses.
For doctors and other professionals, staying informed and vigilant is the best defense against cyber fraud. Share this story with your colleagues and loved ones to help spread awareness and keep everyone safe.
To register for our next masterclass please click here https://linktr.ee/docpreneur
