Karnataka Doctor duped of Rs 3.7 crore by fraudsters posing as CBI officers

Haveri: In a cyber fraud case reported in Ranebennur of Haveri district, a senior consultant at Sanjeevini Nursing Home was allegedly cheated of Rs 3.7 crore in a fake money laundering case by fraudsters impersonating as Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) officers.   

The doctor identified as Dr Bhimasen Karjagi transferred funds to 10 separate accounts across multiple banks owned by the criminals for two months, intending to clear his name from the money laundering accusations. 

However, the doctor got scammed by the fraudsters who manipulated him into believing that he was implicated in a money laundering investigation and that his bank account was under scrutiny.   

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As per a TOI news report, Dr Bhimasen received a call from an unknown number on April 11, 2024. The caller, introducing himself as Dikshit Gadad, an inspector from the CBI in Mumbai, falsely informed Dr Bhimasen that a case had been filed against Naresh Goyel for bank fraud and money laundering. The fraudster alleged that Goyel had transferred money to Dr Bhimasen's Canara Bank account and then withdrawn it, demanding verification of all bank transactions.  

According to SR Ganachari, circle police inspector of the cybercrime, economic offences, narcotics (CEN) police station, the doctor was pressured and threatened with criminal action by the fraudsters prompting him to transfer the amount. Following this, Dr Bhimasen transferred the money to ten different accounts last month through RTGS until May 17.

Speaking to The Daily, Ganachari said, "A total of Rs 3.7 crore has been transferred to the fraudsters' accounts and, finally, he approached us to conduct an inquiry. The investigation is ongoing, and we require the support of technical experts to handle this case."

Further he added, "Despite warnings from the Cyber Economic and Narcotics Crime Police (CEN) regarding online fraud, individuals continue to fall victim to deceptive schemes. People should inform the police if they receive any suspicious phone calls; it will help avoid financial losses."

Also read- Mumbai Doctor Cheated Of Rs 9 Lakh In Fake Money Laundering Case