Dr. Ruby Thomas, a resident of Port Blair and a doctor at Dr. Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital in Lucknow, recently experienced a harrowing cyber scam that left her feeling trapped for five hours. The ordeal began when she received a WhatsApp message containing what appeared to be an arrest warrant and an ID card of a police officer. During a video call with the scammers, they falsely accused her of being involved in a high-profile scam and a shooting incident. They pressured her for physical verification of her identity, causing her to fear for her life. In the end, the scammers extorted Rs 90,000 from her before abruptly ending the call.
Dr. Thomas described her experience as terrifying, noting that the scammers used fake IDs and official-looking documents to build their case against her. They claimed her Aadhaar card was linked to fraudulent activities and threatened severe consequences if she did not cooperate. Tragically, she was pushed to the brink of suicide due to the immense stress and fear they instilled in her.
This incident highlights a disturbing trend in cybercrime, where scammers pose as law enforcement officials to exploit unsuspecting victims, particularly high-profile individuals like doctors and retired military personnel. Several others have fallen prey to similar scams, facing significant financial losses and emotional distress. Public awareness of these sophisticated tactics is crucial, as no legitimate legal action can occur via digital channels in India. Victims are urged to remain vigilant against unsolicited calls or messages claiming to be from authorities.