In a chilling example of how far cybercriminals will go, a 57-year-old woman — a senior software engineer from Bengaluru — reportedly lost around ₹31.83 crore in a sophisticated fraud scheme that played out over six months.
How the Scam Began: A Parcel That Never Existed
- On September 15, 2024, she received a call from someone claiming to be from DHL (courier service), telling her a parcel in her name had been booked out of Mumbai and supposedly contained illegal contents: credit cards, passports, and even MDMA.
- She strongly denied having ordered any parcel — she hadn’t booked anything, and she didn’t even fly to Mumbai — but the caller insisted her personal details were used to book the parcel anyway.
- The call was quickly transferred to other fraudsters posing as CBI officers, who told her that she was under criminal investigation and that strong evidence was “against her.”
Psychological Manipulation & Virtual “Arrest”
- The scammers exerted immense psychological pressure: they warned her not to call the police or talk to her family, claiming that “criminals were watching her house.”
- They instructed her to install two Skype accounts, and through video calls, they monitored her continuously — day and night.
- Fraudsters gave fake identities: at different times, they introduced themselves as “CBI Officer Mohit Handa” and later “Pradeep Singh.”
- During these Skype video calls, they demanded that she show her location, report every move, and relay her phone activity, making her feel trapped in a virtual custody.
The Money Trail: 187 Transactions Over Months
- Between September 24 and October 22, 2024, the fraudsters convinced her to hand over all her financial/account details.
- They then coerced her into making 187 separate bank transactions, totaling ₹31.83 crore.
- Part of the money was labeled as “surety” (she paid ₹2 crore), and later payments claimed to be “taxes” or “processing fees” for clearing her name.
- To make the fraud more convincing, they even gave her a forged “clearance letter” on December 1, just before her son’s engagement.
- Despite their promise that the money would be returned by February or March 2025, communication abruptly ended on March 26, 2025.
Physical and Emotional Toll
- The constant stress impacted her mental and physical health. According to reports, she fell seriously ill and had to be treated for over a month.
- She only filed a police complaint after her son’s wedding in June 2025, citing trauma, shock, and the long ordeal.
- Authorities have since registered a case, and investigations are underway.
Why This Scam Worked So Well
- Impersonation of Authorities
The fraudsters convincingly posed as officials from DHL, the CBI, and even the RBI’s Financial Intelligence Unit. This made their demands and threats sound “official.” - Psychological Coercion
By placing her under “digital arrest” (constant Skype monitoring), they created a sense of fear and helplessness. The threat of arrest and harm to her family forced her into compliance. - Sophisticated Forgery
They used fake letters, fake “clearance” documents, and forged institutional communication to make everything look legitimate. - Manipulating Personal Moments
The scam coincided with her son’s wedding. They promised to clear her name just in time so the engagement could proceed — which added emotional pressure to cooperate.
What This Case Teaches Us & How to Protect Yourself
- Verify Claims Immediately: If someone calls about a parcel in your name, especially alleging it has illegal content — pause. Don’t believe everything on the first call.
- Authenticate Authorities: Ask for employee IDs, phone numbers, or call back from known official numbers. Scammers are rarely able to maintain consistency under scrutiny.
- Don’t Install Unverified Apps or Accounts: Be cautious about installing multiple communication IDs (like Skype) at someone else’s instruction — especially if they demand video monitoring.
- Seek Independent Advice: If someone claims legal trouble, talk to a trusted lawyer or contact real law enforcement before transferring any money.
- Report Fraud Quickly: As soon as you suspect fraud, file a police complaint. Delays make investigations harder and decrease chances of recovery.
Final Thoughts
This Bengaluru case is a painful reminder that cyber fraud is becoming deeply psychological. Scammers no longer just try to steal your money — they manipulate your fears, your identity, and your trust in powerful institutions.
The scale of this fraud (₹32 crore!) is shocking — but more than the money, what’s heartbreaking is how human vulnerability is being weaponized in the digital age.
