Latest news with #LeniPrabhu
Hans India
6 days ago
- Hans India
Retired woman in Mangaluru loses Rs 3.09 cr
Mangaluru: A 72-year-old retired woman in Mangaluru has been defrauded of over Rs 3.09 crore in what police describe as a highly organised 'digital arrest' cyber scam. According to the complaint filed at the Cyber Economic and Narcotics (CEN) police station, the victim, Leni Prabhu, received a missed call from an unknown number on January 15. When she returned the call, a woman claiming to be from the General Post Office told her that a parcel allegedly sent in her name to China had been seized, containing 150 grams of the banned drug MDMA. The caller reportedly warned that the offence carried a prison term of up to 75 years and claimed that the parcel had been booked using her identity documents. The victim was allegedly persuaded to share personal details and was told that a 'no-objection certificate' could clear her name — but only if she remitted 93% of her pension. Acting under fear and pressure, she initially transferred Rs 55 lakh, followed by several more payments over nearly six months, totalling Rs 3,09,75,000. The money was sent via RTGS to bank accounts provided by the fraudsters. The scam was exposed when the callers stopped responding to her messages. Police confirmed that the suspects employed the 'digital arrest' method, using fabricated legal threats to extort funds. A case has been registered, and investigations are underway to track the culprits and recover the stolen amount. Police have cautioned the public against responding to such unsolicited calls.
New Indian Express
6 days ago
- New Indian Express
Elderly woman loses Rs 3.9 crore over seven months in ‘digital arrest' scam in Karnataka
MANGALURU: An elderly woman has lost Rs 3.9 crore in a cyber scam in which fraudsters, posing as employees of a post office, convinced her that she was under a 'digital arrest' for 'sending a parcel containing MDMA'. Over a period of seven months, the victim was coerced into transferring the money to obtain a 'no objection certificate' to clear her name. The ordeal began on 15 January this year when the victim, Leni Prabhu, a retired employee, received a missed call from an unknown number. When she called back, the caller, a woman claiming to be an employee at the General Post Office, that a parcel containing 150g of MDMA, which the victim had sent to China, had been returned. The caller further warned that the offence carried a jail term of '75 years or above'. When the victim said she had not sent any parcel, the fraudster told her that the parcel was sent in her name using her ID card. The scammer then convinced the victim that she would help her and collected her personal details. She allegedly asked the victim to pay 93% of her pension to obtain the no objection certificate. The fraudsters maintained constant contact with the victim, warned her not to discuss the matter with anyone, and manipulated her psychologically. Two days later, the victim came to Mangaluru and transferred ₹55 lakh via RTGS to various bank accounts provided by the scammers. From 17 January to 4 July, she was forced to transfer funds multiple times, amounting to ₹3.9 crore in total. The fraud only came to light when there was no response from the scammers. Realising that she had been conned, the victim lodged a complaint with the CEN police.
Time of India
6 days ago
- Time of India
Digital arrest: Retired Mangaluru woman loses Rs 3.09 crore pension; online scammers pose as postal officials
. MANGALURU: A retired woman in Mangaluru lost Rs 3.09 crore to cybercriminals in a 'digital arrest' scam. The victim, Leni Prabhu, complained to the Cyber Economic and Narcotics police that on January 15, she received a missed call from an unknown number. When she called back, a woman claiming to be from the General Post Office said a parcel sent in Prabhu's name to China had been intercepted, containing 150 grams of MDMA. The caller allegedly told her the offence could mean more than 75 years in prison. Pretending she could help, the fraudster said a no-objection certificate could be arranged if Prabhu paid money. Under pressure, Prabhu first sent Rs 55 lakh through RTGS. Between 17 January and 4 July, she made several transfers to accounts given by the scammers, totalling Rs 3.09 crore, nearly her entire pension savings. She realised it was a scam when the callers stopped answering her. Police say in 'digital arrest' scams, fraudsters pretend to be law enforcement or government officials, accuse victims of crimes, and demand money to 'settle' the case. The callers often pose as CBI, income tax, or customs officers. A case has been registered, and police are trying to trace the suspects and recover the money.
News18
7 days ago
- News18
Mangaluru: Woman duped of Rs 3.09 cr in digital arrest scam
Mangaluru, Aug 10 (PTI) A retired woman here lost Rs 3.09 crore to cybercriminals in a 'digital arrest' scam, police said on Sunday. The victim, identified as Leni Prabhu, filed a complaint with the Cyber Economic and Narcotics (CEN) police station after receiving a missed call on January 15 from an unknown number. When she returned the call, a woman posing as a General Post Office official told her that a parcel sent in her name to China had been intercepted, containing 150 grams of MDMA. The caller 'threatened that the offence carried a prison sentence of over 75 years." Claiming she could help obtain a no-objection certificate, the fraudster coerced Prabhu into surrendering 93 percent of her pension. Under duress, Prabhu first transferred Rs 55 lakh via RTGS. Between January 17 and July 4, she made multiple transactions totaling Rs 3.09 crore to accounts allegedly provided by the suspects. The scam was uncovered when the victim stopped receiving responses from the fraudsters. In a 'digital arrest' scam, fraudsters allegedly impersonate law enforcement officials to deceive and intimidate victims by falsely accusing them of illegal activities. They then pressure victims into paying money to avoid arrest. The perpetrators often pose as CBI agents, income tax officers, or customs officials and contact victims through phone calls. A case has been registered, and investigators are working to trace the perpetrators and recover the stolen funds. PTI GMS SSK (This story has not been edited by News18 staff and is published from a syndicated news agency feed - PTI) view comments First Published: August 10, 2025, 19:15 IST Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Hans India
7 days ago
- Hans India
Retired Woman in Mangaluru Loses ₹3.09 Crore in 'Digital Arrest' Cyber Scam
Mangaluru: A 72-year-old retired woman in Mangaluru has been defrauded of over ₹3.09 crore in what police describe as a highly organised 'digital arrest' cyber scam. According to the complaint filed at the Cyber Economic and Narcotics (CEN) police station, the victim, Leni Prabhu, received a missed call from an unknown number on January 15. When she returned the call, a woman claiming to be from the General Post Office told her that a parcel allegedly sent in her name to China had been seized, containing 150 grams of the banned drug MDMA. The caller reportedly warned that the offence carried a prison term of up to 75 years and claimed that the parcel had been booked using her identity documents. The victim was allegedly persuaded to share personal details and was told that a 'no-objection certificate' could clear her name — but only if she remitted 93% of her pension. Acting under fear and pressure, she transferred ₹55 lakh initially, followed by several more payments over nearly six months, totalling ₹3,09,75,000. The money was sent via RTGS to bank accounts provided by the fraudsters. The scam was exposed when the callers stopped responding to her messages. Police confirmed that the suspects employed the 'digital arrest' method, using fabricated legal threats to extort funds. A case has been registered, and investigations are underway to track the culprits and recover the stolen amount. Police have cautioned the public against responding to such unsolicited calls.
