14 hrs ago
Fake NIA officers digitally arrested Delhi couple, stole savings
A retired railway employee in Delhi received a frightening phone call from people pretending to be investigators.
They falsely said he had helped pay for the Red Fort blast.
The scammers used video calls, fake documents and threats of arrest to make him obey them.
They told him and his wife not to speak to anyone.
For seven days, the couple had to share information about their bank accounts and savings.
The scammers then told the man to transfer money for checking its source.
He sent them Rs 30 lakh, but the money was not returned.
Police recovered Rs 12 lakh and arrested one person linked to the money trail.
A retired 74-year-old railway employee was falsely accused of funding the Red Fort blast.
Fraudsters posed as NIA and ATS officials and kept the couple under digital arrest for seven days.
The couple transferred Rs 30 lakh after being told the money would be verified and returned.
Police recovered Rs 12 lakh and arrested Sunil Singla, whose tractor-company account received part of the money.
Investigators said the scammers used fake notices, official logos and the recent blast to create fear.
- Who
- A 74-year-old retired Indian Railways employee and his wife were targeted by fraudsters posing as National Investigation Agency and Anti-Terrorism Squad officials.
- What
- The couple were subjected to a seven-day digital arrest and defrauded of Rs 30 lakh.
- Where
- The couple lived in Dwarka Sector 23, Delhi; the money trail led to an account linked to Shri Balaji Tractor in Fatehabad, Haryana.
- When
- The first call came on November 23 last year; the transfers were made on December 3 and 4, and an accused was arrested on May 11.
- Why
- The fraudsters used the recent Red Fort blast, fake notices and threats of arrest to frighten the couple into transferring their savings.
Key facts
- Amount stolen
- Rs 30 lakh
- Amount recovered
- Rs 12 lakh
- Digital arrest duration
- Seven days
- Initial blast reference
- A car blast at the Red Fort on November 10 killed 13 people, according to the report.
- Arrested accused
- Sunil Singla, proprietor of Shri Balaji Tractor
- Account activity
- Police said more than six cyber-fraud cases used the account and about Rs 1 crore moved through it since the Red Fort blast.
- Fake identities used
- The fraudsters claimed to represent the National Investigation Agency and Anti-Terrorism Squad.
Quotes
Delhi Police officer
Police officer describing the fraudsters’ impersonation of NIA officials
“Singla was the proprietor of M/s Shri Balaji Tractor. When the forensics of the account was done, it was found that over six cases of cyber fraud were executed using this account, and an amount of Rs 1 crore had been moved through it since the Red Fort blast”
indianexpress.com
“The fraudsters compelled them to disclose complete financial details, including details of bank accounts, fixed deposits and assets. The victims were instructed to remain isolated and continuously monitored through calls and video conferencing”
indianexpress.com
Sources
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