Fake RBI Officers Dupe Doctor of ₹34 Lakh

Chandigarh : In a disturbing case of cybercrime, a doctor from Chandigarh has fallen victim to a ₹34 lakh fraud executed by individuals posing as Reserve Bank of India (RBI) officers. The accused lured the doctor into sharing sensitive banking information under the pretext of verifying suspicious transactions linked to her account.

The fraudsters, using highly convincing communication and official-sounding language, manipulated the victim into revealing her bank account details, OTPs, and credit card information. Within hours, multiple high-value transactions were made, completely wiping out her savings.

Chandigarh police, in collaboration with cybercrime teams from Kolkata and Chandigarh, tracked down and arrested three individuals believed to be part of a larger scam operation. The arrested accused were operating from both cities and had a history of digital fraud targeting professionals and senior citizens.

In a related case, a woman from Chandigarh also reported being cheated of ₹2 lakh in a similar manner. She was contacted by someone claiming to be from the RBI’s fraud control department and was tricked into revealing her debit card details.

According to officials, the scam was run by a well-coordinated racket that sourced personal information from data leaks and cold calls people posing as government officials. The gang used sophisticated apps to mask their phone numbers and made calls sound official with scripted dialogues and RBI-style warnings.

Cybercrime experts say that such scams are on the rise, especially targeting individuals with stable incomes such as doctors, professors, and business owners. “The impersonation of RBI or bank officials has become a common modus operandi,” said an officer from Chandigarh Cyber Cell.

Police have seized multiple mobile phones, fake documents, SIM cards, and bank passbooks from the accused. They are also investigating whether the group has links to a national or international fraud network.

The victims, although devastated, have cooperated with the investigation, and authorities are working to freeze the fraudulent accounts and recover the stolen money. Citizens are urged not to share OTPs, PINs, or account details over the phone, even if the caller claims to be from a government agency.