Goa, September 18: In a concerning revelation, the Goa Police have unearthed a new and sinister modus operandi employed by fraudsters who impersonate police officers. This alarming trend has not only gripped the state of Goa but has also been reported across various regions of India, leaving unsuspecting victims at the mercy of deceitful scammers. To explain how this vicious cycle of scams works, a Goa police inspector who was recently involved with cybercrime gave an example of Viraj, a resident of Goa, who received a chilling phone call one morning from an individual claiming to be a senior IPS officer.

The caller informed him that he had been implicated in a criminal case. Rattled by the call, Viraj immediately sought guidance from a police officer he knew, only to discover that an elaborate ruse had targeted him. It became evident that someone was attempting to swindle him under the guise of law enforcement. Viraj's distressing encounter is not an isolated incident, as Goa Police have reported a surge in similar cases involving fake "police officers." Online Scam in Bengaluru: IT Professional Scammed for Rs 97,000 by Cybercriminals Posing as RTO and Mumbai Police Officials.

According to the Times of India report, these impostors employ cunning tactics, such as using the profile pictures of senior IPS officers on WhatsApp to instil fear in their victims. Subsequently, they manipulate their targets into believing they are entangled in criminal activities, compelling them to take drastic actions. Loan Fraud in Mumbai: Man Dupes Bank of Rs 60 Lakh After Availing Loan Using Forged Documents and Someone Else's LIC Policy, Booked.

Cop Explains Elaborate New Online Fraud

Police Inspector Devendra Pingle shed light on the inner workings of this scam, detailing a recent twist in the fraudsters' strategy. According to Pingle, the scammers initiate random calls and inform individuals that a suspicious courier addressed to them contained illegal contraband. They then falsely claim that an arrest warrant from the Mumbai Police's crime branch is imminent. Under immense pressure and fearing the repercussions of a fabricated case, victims begin depositing money to secure their release.

Tragically, when they realise the deceit, the fraudsters have already siphoned their funds from their accounts, leaving them in financial ruin. Statistics reveal the alarming scale of this menace, with 179 cybercrime cases registered in Goa from 2021 until August 22, 2023. The majority of these cases involve cheating through impersonation facilitated by computer technology. Fraudsters typically target active social media accounts, resorting to extortion by threatening to circulate manipulated photos and videos online. Goa Police issued a stern warning to the public, urging caution in sharing personal information online and emphasising the importance of reporting such incidents promptly.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Sep 18, 2023 11:17 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).