A new scam is emerging in India where scammers are taking money from individuals by threatening them about the illegal use of their SIM cards. The latest victim, a 31-year-old resident of Hyderabad, lost Rs 11.20 lakh after receiving a call from fraudsters posing as officials from the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI).
Hyderabad Scam Details
The scam began when the victim received a call from an unknown individual who claimed his mobile number was at risk of being blocked. The caller further threatened that another SIM card had been issued in his name, linked to a harassment case registered with the Mumbai Police. To make the situation appear legitimate, the fraudsters routed the call to a supposed ‘Mumbai Police’ via Skype.
On this call, the victim was told he was linked to a money laundering case involving Jet Airways founder Naresh Goyal. The supposed police officials claimed arrest warrants and freezing orders had been issued against him, and his bank account details were needed for Supreme Court inspection. The fraudsters added urgency to the situation, warning the victim not to disclose the matter to anyone
Under pressure and receiving multiple calls, the victim transferred Rs 11.20 lakh in two installments. When the scammers demanded an additional Rs 2 lakh for the “process,” the victim grew suspicious. He then told about bthe whole thing to his family, who advised him to report the incident to the authorities.
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Investigation
The victim complained with the Hyderabad Cyber Crime police, who have initiated an investigation into the matter. This case is a part of a growing trend of sophisticated scams where scammers leverage fear, urgency, and official-sounding threats to manipulate victims.
How to Stay Safe from Scams
- Double-check authenticity: Verify the identity of any caller asking for sensitive information or urgent financial transactions.
- Know official protocols: Organizations like TRAI or the police will not request personal or financial information over the phone.
- Avoid urgency traps: Scammers create a sense of urgency to force quick decisions. Take a moment to think and consult trusted individuals before acting.
- Protect personal information: Never share personal, banking, or sensitive information with unknown callers.
- Report suspicious activity: If you suspect a scam, contact local police or the cybercrime unit immediately. Reporting can help prevent others from falling victim to similar schemes.
Staying informed and cautious can help protect against these increasingly sophisticated scams.
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