A 46-year-old woman from Bengaluru lost Rs 1.25 lakh to cyber fraudsters who allegedly posed as police officers and falsely claimed that her son had been arrested in a gang-rape case.

The incident came to light after the woman filed a complaint at the HAL Police Station, prompting an investigation into the fraud.

Fraudsters posed as police officers

According to the complaint, the woman received a call from an international number on Thursday afternoon.

The caller introduced himself as a police officer and claimed that her son had been taken into custody in connection with a gang-rape case. During the conversation, another individual allegedly impersonated her son, convincing her that he was indeed under police custody.

The callers further claimed that an FIR had been registered against her son and warned that he would face serious legal consequences unless immediate action was taken.

Victim transfers money to save son

The fraudsters allegedly told the woman that the case could be settled and her son released if she paid money.

Fearing for her son’s future, she transferred Rs 1.25 lakh through four separate transactions using QR codes provided by the accused.

The scammers later demanded an additional Rs 2 lakh, claiming it was required for medical examinations related to the alleged case.

Suspicion leads to discovery of fraud

The complainant, a resident of Vignana Nagar, said she initially believed the story because the callers appeared to know details about her son.

Adding to her anxiety, her son did not answer repeated phone calls as his mobile phone was on silent mode while he was studying.

The woman eventually contacted her son’s friends in Mysuru, where he is pursuing engineering at a private college. They confirmed that he was safely in his room studying and had not been arrested.

Realising that she had been deceived, she immediately approached the police and lodged a complaint.

Police urge public to stay alert

Police have urged citizens not to trust calls claiming that relatives have been arrested or involved in criminal cases without first verifying the information directly.

Authorities have repeatedly warned that cybercriminals often impersonate police officers, government officials and family members to create panic and extort money from unsuspecting victims.

An investigation into the case is underway.