Hyderabad doctor defrauded of Rs 5.80 lakh in FedEx parcel scam

The victim identified as doctor received a phone call from an individual claiming to be a representative from FedEx. The caller alleged that there was a parcel in his name containing narcotics, sent from Mumbai to Iran. The fraudulent caller elaborated that the doctor's Aadhaar details had been linked to illegal activities, specifically narcotics trafficking and money laundering.

Taking the scam a step further, another person, posing as an official from the cybercrime unit of the Mumbai police, contacted the doctor. This imposter informed the doctor that his Aadhaar information had been used to commit financial crimes and that he was at risk of immediate arrest unless he complied with their demands.

The caller also shared a forged FIR copy and connected the victim to a person posing as an official from the cybercrime wing of the Mumbai police. He was informed that his Aadhaar details had been fraudulently used for money laundering and that he was required to share his bank details and also transfer some amount to verify his account,” the police informed The Hindu.

Under the threat of arrest "within 10 minutes," the panicked doctor transferred ₹5.80 lakh to the fraudsters, reports the Daily. It was only after making the transfer that he realized he had been deceived. This incident underscores the urgent need for public awareness about the growing tactics used by cybercriminals.

The Hyderabad Cyber Crimes Police have registered a case and initiated an investigation into the scam. Victims of such frauds are encouraged to promptly report any suspicious activities to the cybercrime helpline at 1930 or through the official cybercrime portal at cybercrime.gov.in. The authorities emphasized the importance of quick reporting to increase the chances of recovering lost funds and apprehending the culprits.