A beacon of integrity has fallen victim to a staggering online deceit. Harjinder Singh Chahal, a retired officer from the Indian Administrative Service (IAS) who was known for doing what was right, is now fighting against cybercriminals who stole Rs 76 lakh from him. The scammers pretended to be officials from the Mumbai Crime Branch and lured him into a clever trap, using his trust against him. This case shows how even very experienced people can be at risk in today’s digital world.
The fraudsters called Chahal on September 3 and 4, claiming he was involved in money laundering and that a subpoena had been issued against him by the Bombay High Court. The scammers, posing as officials, assured him they could help him clear his name if he followed their instructions. ”I was so hypnotized by the caller that I started following their instructions,” said Chahal in his complaint.
The application of the scheme was smart but simple enough to be executed. The scammers instructed him to deposit money into various bank accounts for “verification.” Chahal, who was equally convinced, transferred money from three of his accounts and eventually lost a shocking Rs 76 lakh. When the fraud registered in his head, the money was already gone.
Let us understand how these scams usually play out with an example. You get a sudden call from someone claiming to be a government official. They drop a bombshell saying there is an arrest warrant with your name on it, and to avoid trouble, you need to transfer money for “verification.” Naturally, panic sets in. With fear clouding your judgment, you follow their instructions, trusting their authority without questioning it. They sound so convincing, after all. But once the money leaves your account, the reality sinks in. You try to check if the situation is real, but by then, it is too late; the scammer has already vanished with your hard-earned cash. This kind of con works because it preys on fear, urgency, and the trust we place in authority figures, making it easy to overlook basic checks when under pressure. Always pause, verify, and never rush into transferring money based on a phone call.
An FIR has been lodged in accordance with the provisions of the Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita & Information Technology Act. The investigation is ongoing, and the authorities are trying to locate the conmen. This case warns everyone to be careful as there is no reason to lend money to people who call you and ask for money to be sent, however plausible the reasons given.
This case marks another incident of India’s ‘digital arrests’ menace. Recently, CEO of Vardhman group was duped of 7crores, and now it’s Chahal. These incidents highlight the importance of cybersecurity awareness for protecting individuals from cyber threats.
