ATS Officers Impersonate Officials to Extract Ransom from Victims on WhatsApp

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Cybercrime Thieves Pose as Police Officers to Extort Lakhs from Victim

A recent case highlights the growing sophistication of cybercrime, where thieves pose as law enforcement officials to extort money from their victims.

Thieves Create Sense of Urgency and Fear

In a chilling incident, a youth from Shahjahanpur, India was duped out of ₹6.48 lakh by fraudsters who claimed he was involved in a Delhi bomb blast.

The victim received multiple calls from different numbers between April 9 and April 21, with the callers claiming to be officers from the Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS).
The fraudsters created a sense of urgency and fear, telling the victim that he would face severe consequences if he didn’t cooperate.
They demanded ₹40,000 to “resolve” the matter, which the victim paid via PhonePe.
This was just the beginning, with the fraudsters continuing to call, escalating the demands and threatening the victim with further action.
The victim transferred a total of ₹6.48 lakh in several installments over the two-week period.
The fraudsters used at least four different mobile numbers to carry out their scam.

Fraudsters Rely on Psychological Manipulation

This case demonstrates how fraudsters rely on psychological manipulation rather than technical hacking to achieve their goals.

“Criminals target human psychology more than technology. Victims are pushed into a state of fear where they follow instructions without verification.”

Prof. Triveni Singh, renowned cybercrime expert

Such scams are becoming increasingly common and are categorized as “fear-based cyber fraud.”

Authorities Reiterate Safety Precautions

The authorities have reiterated that no legitimate investigation agency contacts individuals via calls or demands money through unofficial channels.

Experts advise people not to panic when receiving such calls and to verify the information through official sources.
If anyone claims to be an officer and demands money, it should immediately raise suspicion.
Citizens are encouraged to report such incidents to the national cyber helpline 1930 or approach the nearest police station without delay.

As the investigation continues, officials remain hopeful of identifying and arresting the accused soon.

This case serves as a stark reminder that in the digital age, fear and urgency have become powerful tools in the hands of cybercriminals, and even a moment of panic can lead to significant financial loss.