CA loses Rs 3 lakh after receiving a call from a fake TRAI officer: Here’s what happened

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A 25-year-old CA lost approx. Rs 3 lakh after being scammed by a fraudster posing as a TRAI officer.

The caller told him that several SIM cards linked to his Aadhaar card were being used for illegal activities.

The fraudster then connected him with another person, who introduced himself as an officer of the Mumbai crime branch.

We’ve all received suspicious calls claiming to be from government officials or organizations, but how many of us would fall for them? A recent incident in Ahmedabad is a stark reminder of how cyber fraudsters are becoming more and more creative. A 25-year-old Chartered Accountant (CA) from Naranpura lost approx. Rs 3 lakh after being scammed by a fraudster posing as an officer of the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI).

The complainant received a call in early December from someone claiming to be from TRAI. The caller told him that several SIM cards linked to his Aadhaar card were being used for illegal activities. To make the situation more urgent, the fraudster then connected him with another person, who introduced himself as an officer of the Mumbai crime branch. This officer, who appeared on a video call, further intimidated the CA by claiming that a complaint had been filed against him with the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).

Also read: Pune techie loses Rs 23 lakh to scammers posing as crime branch officials: How to avoid such scams

To convince the CA of the seriousness of the matter, the fraudster sent a letter containing the details of the legal matter, reports TOI. The CA had two options: either go to the Mumbai crime branch in person or stay in touch with the officer over phone at all times. The fraudster then told him he needed to transfer money to check if it was “crime money”.

Trusting the man, the CA followed the instructions and transferred Rs 2.92 lakh on December 1 and 2. It was only after sending the money that the CA realized he had been deceived and contacted the police.

How to protect yourself from such scams

• Verify the caller: Always verify the identity of anyone claiming to be from a government agency. Official organizations do not make unsolicited calls.
• Do not share personal information: Never share sensitive details like your Aadhaar number, bank account information or OTPs over the phone.
• Look for red flags: If the caller pressures you to act quickly or asks you for money, this is a clear sign of a scam.
• Contact the authorities directly: If you receive suspicious calls, contact the official helpline numbers of the concerned organization to verify the complaint.
• Report scams: If you think you have been scammed, report it to the police immediately to avoid further damage.

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Ayushi Jain

Technical news editor by day, BGMI player by night. Combining my passion for technology and gaming to bring you the latest from both worlds. View full profile