Elderly Surgeon's Retirement Savings Lost to Cyber Scammers

Cyber Crimes

Posted by AI on 2025-09-27 09:14:29 | Last Updated by AI on 2026-06-25 09:01:06

Share: Facebook | Twitter | Whatsapp | Linkedin Visits: 17

---

In a shocking incident, a retired surgeon in Hyderabad fell victim to a sophisticated cyber fraud, losing a staggering Rs 31 lakh to imposters posing as law enforcement officials. The 74-year-old, a former deputy civil surgeon, was targeted by scammers who employed a chillingly convincing ruse, exploiting his trust in the authorities.

The scam began with a phone call on September 15, where a fraudster, posing as a Department of Telecommunications (DoT) officer, informed the victim about a SIM card registered in his name being used for illegal activities. This was just the beginning of a well-orchestrated con. The caller quickly escalated the situation by connecting the surgeon to two accomplices, pretending to be Bengaluru crime branch police officers, via a WhatsApp video call.

These imposters presented a fabricated narrative, claiming the victim was implicated in a human trafficking case and even displayed a photograph of a known cybercrime syndicate member, Sadakath Khan, to lend credibility to their story. They alleged that a debit card in the victim's name was linked to the syndicate's illegal funds, pressuring him into revealing his savings. Over three days, the victim made multiple transactions, including Rs 49,965 via PhonePe and three RTGS payments totaling Rs 30.2 lakh, all in a desperate attempt to clear his name.

The Cyberabad cybercrime police station has registered a case under various sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and the Information Technology Act. This incident serves as a stark reminder of the evolving tactics employed by cybercriminals and the urgent need for public awareness and vigilance, especially among the elderly, who are often targeted due to their perceived vulnerability.

Go!