Retired Professor Duped in Cyber Fraud Scheme

Qamar Jahan, a retired professor from Aligarh Muslim University, was duped of over Rs 75 lakhs by fraudsters impersonating Enforcement Directorate (ED) officials, who threatened her with a 'digital arrest' for more than 10 days. Upon her initial call on September 28, the scammers coerced her into believing she was involved in dubious financial transactions and needed to deposit money to avoid legal repercussions. An FIR was lodged, prompting police to alert banks and block Rs 13 lakh in transactions, while the funds were traced through 21 different accounts. The police have issued advisories to inform the public that 'digital arrest' is not a recognized legal procedure. This case is part of a growing trend of similar cyber fraud incidents reported in the state, highlighting the need for increased awareness and caution among potential victims.