Chikmagalur bank employee loses Rs 17 lakh to cyber fraud

Chikmagalur, NT Bureau: In a recent incident that played out at the Narasimharajapur taluk of the Chikmagalur district, a bank employee fell victim to cyber fraud, losing Rs 17 lakh in the process.

The CEN police have registered his complaint. According to the employee, he received a video call from someone claiming to be from the Mumbai Crime Division Police.

The caller falsely claimed that a case had been filed against him and showed a fake FIR to intimidate him. The fraudster demanded Rs 17 lakh to dismiss the fictitious case and prevent his arrest.

Believing the scammer, the employee transferred the money to the account provided by the caller, without verifying the legitimacy of the allegations.

Upon realising the deception, he filed a complaint with the police on June 10. The authorities have registered the case and an investigation is underway. In response, the Chikmagalur district police issued a press release warning the public about the increasing trend of cyber fraud involving fake legal threats.

Fraudsters often present fake FIRs and demand large sums of money to dismiss fabricated cases, they alerted. The police urged citizens to remain vigilant and report any suspicious calls or cybercrime attempts to the toll-free number 1930.