In a recent incident reported by the Times of India, a woman in Bengaluru fell prey to a sophisticated cyber scam. The ordeal began with a fraudulent call from someone claiming to be a Mumbai police department staffer. The caller alleged that a package containing narcotics had been intercepted in the woman’s name, escalating the situation by involving another individual posing as a ‘higher official’ from the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).
Over 36 hours of manipulation and coercion, the scammers extorted a total of ₹14.7 lakh from the victim. They coerced her into disrobing in front of a webcam under the guise of a ‘narcotic test’ and threatened to publicize her images on the dark web if she refused to comply.
Thankfully, the woman sought help from the police, leading to the registration of a case under the Information Technology Act, extortion, and cheating. This incident underscores the urgent need for heightened vigilance and awareness regarding cyber scams.
It also highlights the importance of proactive measures by companies like FedEx, which have alerted customers to potential threats and encouraged reporting suspicious activities. Together, through education, vigilance, and collaboration, we can combat the scourge of cybercrime and create a safer digital environment for all.