Indore conman tricks senior citizen out of ₹15 lakhs via phone

In Indore, Madhya Pradesh, a 75-year-old man fell victim to a conman who impersonated a relative living in Australia. The scammer contacted the victim via WhatsApp, claiming he had been arrested due to an expired visa and needed Rs 15 lakh to secure his release. The victim, believing the caller's emotional plea and altered voice due to a sore throat, was convinced to transfer the money to the account provided by the conman. After the transaction, the victim discovered that his relative was not in any trouble, prompting him to report the incident to the cyber cell of the Crime Branch. The Crime Branch has since registered a case and is investigating the matter using the virtual number from which the call was made. This incident is part of a troubling trend, as the Crime Branch has received approximately 430 similar complaints from January to August of this year. The authorities are working diligently to track down the perpetrator and prevent further scams targeting vulnerable individuals. The emotional manipulation employed by the conman highlights the tactics used by fraudsters to exploit trust and familial connections. Such scams can have devastating financial and emotional impacts on victims, particularly senior citizens who may be more susceptible to these types of deceit. The case underscores the importance of awareness and caution when receiving unexpected calls, especially those involving urgent financial requests. As investigations continue, the Crime Branch aims to raise public awareness about these scams to protect potential victims. They encourage individuals to verify any suspicious claims before taking action, especially when it involves significant sums of money.