Cyber Fraud Claims Life of 76-Year-Old Doctor in Hyderabad

A 76-year-old doctor in Hyderabad lost her life due to a severe case of organized cyber fraud. According to a report by NDTV, the victim was targeted by a group of criminals, referred to as a digital arrest gang, who employed impersonation, forgery, and intimidation to extort money from her.

The incident began when the doctor received a WhatsApp call from a number that displayed the logo of the Bangalore Police. She was falsely implicated in a fabricated case known as the “Sadat Khan Human Trafficking Case” using forged documents that included her Aadhaar details. Over a span of three days, she faced persistent harassment through video calls from two different numbers.

A cybercrime official detailed the extent of the deception, stating, “Fraudsters showed forged documents allegedly from the Supreme Court, Karnataka Police, Enforcement Directorate, and Reserve Bank of India, threatening prosecution under a fictitious National Secret Act, 1923.” This overwhelming intimidation forced the doctor to withdraw approximately Rs 6.6 lakh from her bank pension account, which she then sent to the criminals.

Despite complying with their demands, the victim continued to face harassment, receiving further threats and falsified notices. Tragically, the immense stress from the situation led to her suffering a cardiac arrest. She was rushed to a private hospital in Hyderabad after experiencing severe chest pain but passed away shortly thereafter.

In a disturbing twist, investigators revealed that the perpetrators did not cease their harassment even after her death, continuing to send messages and make calls. Following a complaint from the victim’s family, the Cyber Crime Police registered a case under Sections 66C and 66D of the IT Act, as well as multiple provisions of the Indian Penal Code.

An investigation has been launched to trace the accused and bring them to justice. The case underscores the growing threat of cybercrime, particularly as technology becomes increasingly integrated into daily life. Authorities are urging the public to remain vigilant and report suspicious communications to help combat this alarming trend.