Prayagraj Cyber Crime: Constable Dupes Woman into Transferring Rs 2 Lakh
Social Engineering Scams on the Rise in Prayagraj
A recent incident of cyber fraud in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh, has highlighted the growing threat of social engineering scams in the region.
Victim Duped by Scammer Posing as Constable
A local resident was duped into transferring ₹15,000 to a scammer who posed as a constable from the Prayagraj police.
The scammer contacted the victim via phone, claiming that they were linked to a criminal case and needed to transfer funds as “security money” to avoid arrest.
Modus Operandi of Scammers
In similar cases across India, scammers have impersonated officials from law enforcement, revenue departments, courts, or banks to convince victims that urgent action is required to avoid legal or financial penalties.
In reality, genuine law enforcement processes involve written notices, formal summons, and in-person interactions conducted through authorized channels.
Investigation and Prevention
The Prayagraj cybercrime cell is currently analyzing call records, transaction logs, and digital artifacts from the victim’s device to try to trace the origin of the transaction and the suspected scammer’s identity.
Police are urging citizens to verify the identity of anyone claiming to be from official agencies, especially in unsolicited calls, before transferring any funds or sharing sensitive information.
Broader Trend of Social Engineering Scams
This incident is part of a broader trend of social engineering scams and digital impersonation tactics reported across the region.
Local cybercrime units frequently deal with cases of fake job offers, bogus investment schemes, work-from-home scams, and fake arrest or warrant threats, resulting in significant financial losses.
Prevention and Protection
Experts attribute the effectiveness of cyber fraud to a combination of fear tactics, authority impersonation, and a lack of digital awareness among victims.
By strengthening personal cyber hygiene, such as not acting on unsolicited calls and independently verifying official communication, individuals can significantly reduce the risk of falling prey to these scams.
- Hang up on suspicious calls claiming to be from law enforcement, government bodies, or banks.
- Verify the identity through official channels.
- Avoid transferring money to unknown accounts.
- Report suspicious communication immediately to the cybercrime cell or call the national cyber helpline number 1930 for guidance and complaint registration.