Kanpur, August 29: A new case of "Digital arrest" scam has come to the fore from Uttar Pradesh's Lucknow. This time, the fraudsters have targeted a doctor with their elaborate schemes. Dr Ashok Solanki, a general physician residing in Lucknow's Aliganj, has fallen victim to a sophisticated fraud, losing INR 48 lakh. This case adds to the growing number of similar frauds reported in Uttar Pradesh in recent months, particularly targeting medical professionals.
On August 20, Dr Solanki received a call from an individual posing as an employee of FedEx courier service in Mumbai, the ABP News reported. The caller claimed that a parcel addressed to Dr Solanki containing fake passports, laptops, pen drives, and drugs had been sent to Iran. Alarmed by this information, Dr Solanki was soon contacted via Skype by another fraudster impersonating a Deputy Commissioner of Police from the Mumbai Crime Branch. Digital Arrest Scam: Two Conmen Arrested in Uttar Pradesh for ‘Digital House Arrest’ of Victims.
‘Digital Arrest’ Scam in Lucknow
The impersonator informed Dr Solanki that his bank account had been used for transactions worth crores and that he was under investigation by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and the Directorate of Enforcement (ED). To safeguard his remaining funds, the fraudster advised Dr Solanki to transfer all his money to a list of accounts purportedly belonging to the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), assuring him that the money would be returned after the investigation.
Doctor Duped of INR 48 Lakh in 'Digital Arrest' Scam
Trusting the caller, Dr Solanki transferred INR 48 lakh to the specified accounts, which were actually controlled by the fraudsters. After the transfer, the fraudsters ceased all communication, and Dr Solanki realised he had been duped. Dr Solanki lodged an FIR with the local police, detailing the incident. He mentioned that he received the fraudulent calls while returning home from his clinic in Vikasnagar. Digital Arrest Fraud in Thane: Fraudster Posing As South Delhi Police Officer Sends Fake Arrest Warrant To Elderly Man, Dupes Him of INR 85 Lakh.
The Uttar Pradesh Police has filed a case against unknown persons under relevant sections of the BNS and IT Act. A probe has been launched.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Aug 29, 2024 05:17 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).