Bengaluru/Udupi: A disturbing pattern of cyber fraud has emerged in Karnataka, where scammers allegedly used industrialist Ratan Tata, Shantanu Naidu and Mumbai Police officials to deceive elderly women and steal huge sums of money.
Bengaluru and Udupi’s two incidents underlined the growing threat from sophisticated cyber criminals who are targeting senior citizens with trust, fear and misinformation.
Fraudsters Exploiting Trusted Names
The accused had impersonated well-known people and officials in law enforcement to try to convince victims that they were in urgent financial or legal situations, the police said.
With names of public figures and police officials, the fraudsters then attracted the confidence of the victims before persuading them to transfer large amounts of money, said the report.
Such scams are becoming more sophisticated, investigators say, with criminals using fake identities, forged documents, video calls and spoofed phone numbers to make their claims appear genuine.
Elderly Citizens Targeted
However, officials believe senior citizens are still among the most vulnerable targets given the fact that fraudsters often take advantage of their limited knowledge about the latest cybercrime strategies.
Victims are often forced to make quick financial decisions in response to threats of legal action and false investment opportunities, or false emergencies.
Police have repeatedly warned that criminals are known to create a sense of panic to prevent victims from checking if the calls or messages were genuine.
Investigation Underway
The fraud is being investigated in both cases, and the stolen money is being tracked.
Cybercrime investigators are also investigating communication channels, bank accounts and digital footprints used in the scams.
Public officials have urged members of the public to report suspicious telephone calls or messages quickly and not respond to demands for money or to disclose confidential information.
How to Stay Safe
The cybercrime experts recommend that citizens take basic precautions:
- Never transfer funds solely on phone calls or online messages.
- Verify the identity of anyone claiming to represent the police, a government agency, or a well-known public figure.
- Don’t give a bank account number, OTP, or personal financial information to unknown callers.
- Be wary of threats of arrest, investigations, or urgent financial transactions.
- If you receive suspicious communication, contact the official helpline or the concerned organization directly.
Public Urged to Remain Vigilant
In light of the recent incidents, cybercriminals will once again use the names of trusted people and institutions to commit fraud.
Police have appealed to the public, particularly senior citizens and their families, to remain alert, verify every financial request independently, and report suspected cyber fraud immediately to the nearest cybercrime police station or through the national cybercrime reporting system.
Public awareness is still one of the most successful defenses against the rise of such evolving online scams, authorities say.
