Jabalpur:
In a shocking case of cyber fraud, a retired school principal and her husband in Jabalpur were allegedly kept under a “digital arrest” for nearly 96 hours by a gang of fraudsters impersonating Anti-Terrorist Squad (ATS) officers. Using fear, intimidation and false allegations, the scammers attempted to extract confidential personal and financial information from the elderly couple. The racket fell apart when the principal, using her presence of mind, stepped out of the house on the pretext of banking work and managed to alert a lawyer.
Fake ATS Officers Accuse Couple of Terror Links
The incident took place in the Ghamapur area of Jabalpur. The elderly couple received a phone call on 6 December, in which the callers introduced themselves as ATS officials.
According to the police, the fraudsters falsely accused the husband of having links with a terrorist named Afzal Khan, and claimed that ₹70 crore in illegal transactions had been routed through his bank account. They further alleged that the couple had received ₹70 lakh as commission, and that a SIM card in their name was being used to leak classified national information.
Terrified by the allegations, the couple complied with the instructions given over phone.
Scammers Gain Complete Access to Personal Data
During the four-day-long psychological assault, the scammers collected detailed information about the couple’s family, mobile numbers, Aadhaar details, bank accounts and fixed deposits. They also coerced them into downloading an app through a suspicious link.
Through this application, the fraudsters kept the couple in what is being described as a “digital arrest”—meaning they were prevented from stepping outside or contacting neighbours, relatives, police or any external help.
Principal Outsmarts the Fraudsters in Minutes
On Tuesday afternoon, the scammers instructed the retired principal to visit a bank for a task related to the investigation. The moment she stepped outside, she acted swiftly and informed a lawyer known to her.
Realising the seriousness of the situation, the lawyer immediately reached the couple’s residence along with Additional SP (Crime Branch) Jitendra Singh. The police intervened promptly and rescued the couple from the ongoing digital confinement.
Case Registered; Search for Fraudsters Underway
According to Additional SP Jitendra Singh, the first call was received on 6 December. A formal case has now been registered, and efforts are on to identify and arrest the culprits. Singh emphasised that such incidents highlight the growing threat of cyber fraud targeting senior citizens.
A Strong Warning for the Public
The incident serves as a major cautionary tale, underscoring how criminals exploit fear and authority to deceive vulnerable individuals. Police have urged citizens to remain vigilant and not share personal information over unsolicited calls, especially when callers pose as officials from CBI, ATS, or other national agencies.
Discover more from SD NEWS agency
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.