‘Digital arrest over PFI link’: Fake ED, NIA sleuths cheat Karnataka doctor of Rs 1.79 cr

A 67-year-old retired doctor in Karnataka fell victim to a scam where fraudsters posing as officials from a courier company and central investigative agencies allegedly stole Rs 1.79 crore from him. The accused impersonated Enforcement Directorate (ED) and National Investigation Agency (NIA) officials, intimidating the couple into transferring money.

The doctor's wife received a call on July 14, claiming there was an illegal package in her name being sent to Mumbai. A man named Aman Kumar Sharma, who allegedly worked for the Cyber Crime Control Board of India in Mumbai, demanded money to clear their names. Over WhatsApp video calls, the caller, identified as sub-inspector Vishwas Rao, threatened to damage their national security if they did not comply.

The fraudsters collected sensitive personal and financial information from the couple. The doctor realized he had been defrauded when his son informed him about similar scams. The police in Kalaburagi registered a case of identity theft and cheating to investigate the matter.