Shocking Cyber Fraud in Hyderabad: Retired Doctor Dies After ‘Digital Arrest’ Scam
In a heartbreaking incident in Hyderabad, a 76-year-old retired government doctor lost her life to a ruthless cyber fraud scam. The woman, who worked as the chief senior resident medical officer at Area Hospital in Malakpet, suffered a fatal heart attack after enduring three days of intense harassment from conmen.
Police reports reveal that the fraudsters posed as police officers and enforcement officials, trapping her in a terrifying "digital arrest." They accused her of involvement in human trafficking and used fake documents with logos from the Supreme Court, Enforcement Directorate (ED), and Reserve Bank of India (RBI) to scare her. Over 70 hours, they kept her on video calls, making her believe she was under official custody.
The ordeal started on September 5 when scammers contacted her via WhatsApp from a number displaying the Bengaluru police logo. They threatened to slap her with the National Security Act and arrest her unless she paid up. The next day, under pressure, she transferred Rs 6.6 lakh from her pension account at Union Bank to a shady account in Maharashtra.
But the nightmare didn’t end there. Even after getting the money, the fraudsters kept calling and sending fake court notices, demanding more cash. The stress proved too much—the elderly doctor collapsed with severe chest pain at her Madhura Nagar home on September 8. Her family rushed her to a hospital in Ameerpet, but she passed away the next day.
Shockingly, her family only discovered the full extent of the digital arrest scam after her funeral on September 9. They quickly filed a complaint with the Cybercrime police, who registered a case under the IT Act and other laws, including charges of culpable homicide not amounting to murder.
What’s even more chilling? The scammers didn’t stop after her death. They kept sending threatening messages, with the last one arriving on September 10. The victim’s family told police about these ongoing taunts, highlighting how brazen these cyber criminals can be.
Hyderabad police have now kicked off a full investigation. They’re digging into phone records and bank transactions to track down the suspects behind this deadly digital arrest fraud. As cyber scams like this rise across India, experts urge everyone—especially seniors—to stay alert and report suspicious calls immediately.
This tragic case serves as a stark reminder of the dangers of online fraud in Hyderabad and beyond. If you spot anything fishy, dial the cybercrime helpline right away to stay safe.
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