Woman scientist cheated of Rs 8.8 lakh by cyber fraudsters

BENGALURU: Cyber fraudsters have cheated a woman scientist based in the city to the tune of lakhs of rupees by threatening her with false allegations that she was involved in human trafficking.

Recently, an online fraudster threatened the wife of an MP with threats of money laundering, and she was cheated out of Rs 14 lakh. However, the police were able to recover the money.

Similarly, fraudsters threatened Dr Sandhya, a resident of IISc’s New Housing Colony, and took lakhs of rupees from her.

Dr Sandhya received a call from an unknown person on September 16, claiming that her mobile number was being used elsewhere. She was then sent a message stating that 17 cases had been registered against her.

Subsequently, another person called her, threatening that she was involved in a human trafficking case and would be arrested by CBI officials, and even showed her fake Supreme Court documents. The fraudsters managed to transfer Rs 8.8 lakh from Dr Sandhya’s bank account.

An FIR has been registered at the Central Zone’s CEN police station, and the police are now laying a trap to catch the fraudsters.