Hyderabad Doctor Loses ₹48 Lakh in Parcel Scam, Police Urge Reporting via Helpline

A 34-year-old doctor in Hyderabad fell victim to a parcel scam, losing ₹48 lakh to fraudsters posing as representatives from FedEx courier services and the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). The scammers contacted the doctor, claiming she was connected to a drug-filled parcel from Malaysia destined for Delhi.

The perpetrators deceived the doctor into believing she was under investigation by showing her an arrest warrant via WhatsApp and threatening legal action. They pressured her to reveal personal and banking details, including information about her family and husband. The fraudsters then demanded payment of 'fund legislation' fees and threatened to break her fixed deposit accounts worth ₹25 lakh each if she did not comply.

Fearing the consequences, the doctor eventually transferred a total of ₹48 lakh to the account provided by the scammers. The incident highlights the growing problem of cybercrime and the sophisticated tactics employed by fraudsters to exploit unsuspecting victims.

Why this matters: The rise in cybercrime cases, particularly those involving social engineering and financial fraud, emphasizes the pressing need for increased public awareness and robust cybersecurity measures. The substantial financial loss suffered by the doctor serves as a sobering reminder of the devastating impact such scams can have on individuals and the importance of exercising caution when dealing with unsolicited requests for personal information or money.

In response to the incident, the Hyderabad Cyber Crime Police have urged the public to report any such incidents by calling the Cyber Crime Helpline number 1930 or visiting the cybercrime.gov.in website. The police have emphasized the importance of internet literacy and awareness of constitutional rights to help prevent falling victim to such scams.

The Hyderabad cybercrime police have advised the public to remain vigilant and report any suspicious incidents promptly. "We urge citizens to contact the Cyber Crime Helpline at 1930 or visit cybercrime.gov.in to report any cases of cybercrime or fraud," a police spokesperson stated. The authorities have also stressed the need for increased public awareness and education on cybersecurity best practices to help prevent such incidents from occurring in the future.

Key Takeaways

• Hyderabad doctor lost ₹48 lakh in parcel scam by fraudsters posing as FedEx, CBI
• Scammers threatened legal action, demanded 'fund legislation' fees, and access to accounts
• Incident highlights growing cybercrime and sophisticated tactics to exploit victims
• Public urged to report such incidents to Cyber Crime Helpline 1930 or cybercrime.gov.in
• Need for increased public awareness and education on cybersecurity best practices