Doctor, AIIMS official among victims of cyber fraud spree in Bhopal

Bhopal: A doctor from Chirayu Hospital and an official from AIIMS Bhopal were among several people allegedly duped by cyber fraudsters in the state capital, losing lakhs of rupees through a series of online scams.

According to police officials, the incidents were reported in the Habibganj and Bagsewania police station areas on Sunday. Cyber criminals allegedly used fake electricity bill alerts, malicious APK files, false promises of insurance returns, and impersonation of law enforcement officials to deceive victims.

Also Read:87-year-old doctor duped of Rs 46 lakh by cyber fraudsters

One of the victims, a doctor at Chirayu Hospital and resident of BHEL Sangam Colony, allegedly lost Rs 1.63 lakh after receiving a call from a person posing as an electricity department employee. The caller asked him to update his IVRS details and sent a link. Soon after he clicked on it, money was withdrawn from his bank account, reports the Free Press Journal.

In a separate incident, an officer in the management department of AIIMS Bhopal allegedly lost nearly Rs 1.70 lakh after downloading an APK file sent to his mobile phone.

Investigators believe the malicious file enabled cyber criminals to gain remote access to his device, allowing them to misuse his credit card and carry out fraudulent transactions.

Police said at least three additional cyber fraud cases were reported on the same day.

Police have registered cases in all incidents and launched a detailed investigation into the network behind the fraud. Authorities have urged citizens to exercise caution while receiving unknown calls or messages and warned against clicking suspicious links or downloading unverified files.

Medical Dialogues had previously reported that a Pune-based 87-year-old retired doctor was allegedly cheated of Rs 46 lakh by online fraudsters who posed as officials of the Mumbai Crime Branch and threatened him with arrest in a fabricated money laundering case, police said. According to the Pune Cyber Police, the fraud took place between May 24 and May 26, when the victim was contacted by someone claiming to be law enforcement officers.

Also Read:87-year-old doctor duped of Rs 46 lakh by cyber fraudsters