“Your mobile number has been used by the terrorists who carried out the Pahalgam attack,” this was the claim made by cyber fraudsters to extort ₹12 lakh from Jhantu Bose, a resident of Jalpaiguri town in North Bengal.
Posing as law enforcement officials, the fraudsters threatened him, leaving him terrified and unaware that he was being trapped in a scam.
The incident came to light when Jalpaiguri District Police investigated the case and successfully recovered the entire defrauded amount, returning it to the victim on Thursday.
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Speaking on the case, Superintendent of Police Umesh Khandbahale said, “We continuously warn people during our cybercrime awareness drives that fraudsters operate by creating fear and confusion. In this case, they told the victim that his phone number was being used by terrorists in the Pahalgam attack and manipulated him into transferring a huge sum under the threat of legal action.”
Bose, still shaken but grateful, said, “I fell into their trap because I couldn’t understand what was happening. But, I express my gratitude to the police, my money has been returned. I am truly grateful.”
The scam was part of a growing pattern where criminals impersonate officials and exploit public fear around terrorism and law enforcement to siphon money from unsuspecting victims.
The Jalpaiguri police also returned recovered amounts of two other cyber fraud victims. The police are urging citizens to remain vigilant and to never respond to calls demanding money under threats of arrest or terrorism links. Report any such incident immediately to the nearest police station.
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