Online Fraud in Mumbai: Fake CBI Officer Uses Deepfake Audio of ‘Crying Son’ To Dupe Woman of INR 1.2 Lakh, Probe Launched
In a disturbing case of fraud, a 59-year-old woman in Mumbai fell victim to a sophisticated scam where a fraudster impersonating a CBI officer manipulated her into paying a substantial sum INR 1.2 lakh.
Mumbai, July 7: In a disturbing case of fraud, a 59-year-old woman in Mumbai fell victim to a sophisticated scam where a fraudster impersonating a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) officer manipulated her into paying a substantial sum INR 1.2 lakh. The fraudster, claiming to be from the CBI office in Bandra, fabricated a story about her son's involvement in a crime and played a deepfake audio clip of her "son crying" in distress. Upon realising the ruse, the woman filed a compliant with the Dahisar police, who have initiated an investigation into the case of cheating.
According to a report from the Times of India, the fraudulent scheme targeting the woman began with a phone call from the fraudster claiming to be a CBI officer stationed at Bandra. The impersonator informed her that her son had been apprehended due to his friend's involvement in a rape and murder case several months prior. Exploiting the mother's natural concern for her son's safety and reputation, the scammer warned that unless she paid a substantial sum of money, details of her son's alleged connection to the crime would be leaked to the media. Sonu Sood Faces Deepfake Scam, Impersonator Requests Money From Distressed Family in Manipulative Video – Watch.
To reinforce the authenticity of the claim, the fraudster played what appeared to be genuine audio of her son crying in distress, a manipulation likely achieved through deepfake technology. Overwhelmed with worry and convinced of her son's innocence, the woman complied with the demands. She transferred a total of INR 1.2 lakh in multiple transactions to bank accounts provided by the fraudster. As the scam progressed, the impostor continued to press for more money, exploiting the woman's fear and desperation. Online Fraud in Mumbai: Teen Loses Rs 2 Lakh While Playing Game on Mother’s Mobile Phone, Dies by Suicide.
Upon realising something was amiss, the woman decided to verify the situation by contacting her son directly. To her relief, she discovered that her son was safe at his workplace and not in any trouble with the authorities, as claimed by the fraudulent caller. Realising that she had been duped, she promptly lodged a complaint with the Dahisar police, detailing the entire sequence of events. The police registered an FIR against the unknown scammer on July 4 and initiated an investigation into the case of cheating, aiming to identify and apprehend the perpetrator responsible for this elaborate and emotionally manipulative scam.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jul 07, 2024 01:51 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).