Scammers use fake health schemes and investment traps; police freeze accounts, investigation underway
Dehradun/Gangolihat |
Cyber fraud cases are on the rise in Uttarakhand, with scammers adopting new tactics to target vulnerable individuals. In two shocking incidents, a pregnant woman in Gangolihat and a retired ONGC officer in Dehradun were duped of significant amounts.
Pregnant Woman Duped of ₹35,000
In Gangolihat, cyber criminals targeted a pregnant woman by posing as officials from Dehradun’s Digi Health Department. They lured her with promises of benefits under Anganwadi-linked government schemes.
Gaining her trust, the fraudsters extracted her banking details and siphoned off ₹35,000 from her account. Fortunately, due to swift police action, the bank account was immediately put on hold, preventing further withdrawal of funds.
Fear Among Women, ASHA Workers Raise Concern
Following the incident, fear and insecurity have spread among local women. ASHA workers gathered at a health center, demanding quick recovery of the victim’s money and strict action against the culprits.
Police Action and Advisory
SSI BC Masiwal from Gangolihat police station confirmed that the account was frozen promptly with the help of the cyber cell. Authorities have assured that efforts are underway to return the money through legal procedures.
Police have urged the public to remain cautious:
- Do not share OTP, PIN, or bank details with unknown callers
- Report suspicious calls immediately on cyber helpline 1930
- Avoid clicking unknown links or downloading unverified apps
₹1.87 Crore Fraud with Retired ONGC Officer
In a separate case in Dehradun, cyber fraudsters duped a retired ONGC officer of ₹1.87 crore through a fake investment scheme.
The victim was added to a WhatsApp group where scammers promised high returns through share trading. Gradually, he was convinced to invest large sums of money. By the time he realized the fraud, a huge amount had already been transferred.
Based on the complaint, a case has been registered at the cyber crime police station against unknown accused, and investigation is ongoing.
Cyber criminals are increasingly targeting not just common citizens but also vulnerable groups like pregnant women and senior citizens. Vigilance remains the key defense, and authorities continue to spread awareness to prevent such incidents.
