https://indianmasterminds.com

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT

AI, Impersonation, & Fear: Cybercriminals Impersonate Top IPS Officer, Dupe Elderly Couple of Rs78.6 Lakh in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar

In a separate case, a lawyer lost nearly ₹6 lakh to a fake Trump-themed hotel investment scam using AI-generated video
Indian Masterminds Stories

Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar / Haveri: In yet another alarming instance of rising cyber fraud across India, an elderly couple in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar was defrauded of ₹78.6 lakh by cybercriminals who impersonated IPS officer Vishwas Nangare Patil. The accused lured the victims by posing as the senior police officer on a video call and claimed their bank account was linked to terror-related financial activities.

The fraud took place between July 2 and July 7, during which the victims—one of whom is a retired government employee from the Divisional Commissioner’s Office—were subjected to repeated calls and psychological manipulation.

False ‘Digital Arrest’ Threat Used to Intimidate

The fraudsters told the couple that suspicious transactions amounting to ₹20 lakh had been detected from their bank account, which was allegedly linked to a terrorist’s account. To make their claim appear legitimate, they orchestrated a video call impersonating IPS Vishwas Nangare Patil, coercing the couple into cooperating under threat of arrest.

Falling prey to this elaborate scheme, the victims ended up transferring ₹78.6 lakh over six days.

A case has been filed at Kranti Chowk Police Station, and investigations are ongoing. Authorities have clarified that there is no legal concept such as a “digital arrest”, and urged the public to verify official identities before responding to such threats.

AI-Generated Trump Video Scam: Advocate Loses ₹6 Lakh

In a similar cybercrime case, an advocate from Haveri, Karnataka, was duped of ₹5.93 lakh after he was lured by an AI-generated video of former U.S. President Donald Trump, promoting a fake investment scheme titled “Trump Hotel Rentals.”

According to the complaint filed by Advocate Anil Mohan Bendre at the Haveri CEN Police Station, he came across the video on YouTube in January 2025 and followed a link directing him to download a mobile app. After entering his personal and banking details, he initially received small profits, which led him to invest more.

Between January 25 and April 4, the advocate deposited nearly ₹6 lakh into multiple accounts and digital wallets, some of which were in his wife’s name. Eventually, the returns stopped, and he was unable to recover the amount. Police have since frozen ₹1.5 lakh traced to the fraudsters’ accounts.

Authorities Urge Vigilance

Both cases highlight the growing sophistication of cybercriminals, who now employ deepfake videos, impersonation, and emotional manipulation to defraud victims. Law enforcement agencies have appealed to the public to:

  • Avoid clicking on suspicious links or downloading unknown apps.
  • Verify identities in case of unexpected communication from “officials.”
  • Be skeptical of too-good-to-be-true investment schemes online.

Report cyber fraud immediately to the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal (www.cybercrime.gov.in).


Indian Masterminds Stories
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Related Stories
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
NEWS
NCST Holds Review Meeting with NHPC
NCST Holds Review Meeting with NHPC on Implementation of Safeguards for Scheduled Tribe Employees
MP CM Collector Award Niti Aayog
Sampurnata Abhiyan: Madhya Pradesh Leads NITI Aayog Campaign; Collectors from 8 Districts Win Gold
Mohan Yadav
MP CM Mohan Yadav Pushes for Sustainable, Community-Driven Rural Water Policy; Targets 100% Tap Coverage by March 2027
Ajay Bhadoo IAS
IAS Ajay Bhadoo Gets Extended Term as DGFT - What It Means & His Career Journey
THDCIL_Receives_ABMS_Certification_for_Integrity_and_Transparency
THDC India (THDCIL) Awarded ISO 37001:2016 Anti-Bribery Certification by BIS - Details Inside
Ministry of Environment
Environment Ministry Clarifies Petrol Vehicle Tender, Cites E-Vehicle Flexibility
Bokaro Steel Plant
PESB Selects Priya Ranjan to Head Bokaro Steel Plant, SAIL’s Key Production Unit
REC Limited wins ‘Best Design Thinking Award’ at 5th Distinguished NBFC (DNA) Awards
REC Limited Bags ‘Best Design Thinking Award’ at 5th Distinguished NBFC Awards
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Videos
Dr
Resisted Flawed Schemes, Transferred Thrice In Three Months, Found Solace In Writing
WhatsApp Image 2025-08-11 at 4.48
IAS SVR Srinivas on Mumbai Trans Harbour Link, Tough Calls, and the Real Power of IAS Officers | Video Interview
WhatsApp Image 2025-08-08 at 5.25
Dharavi Redevelopment: IAS Minds Turning 100-Year-Old Slum into a Modern City | Video Interview
ADVERTISEMENT
UPSC Stories
IAS Minnu P M
“Lazy, Sleepy, Yet Determined”: Minnu P M’s Honest Take on Cracking UPSC
Minnu PM, once a clerk in Kerala Police, cleared UPSC with AIR 150 after five years of struggle. Her...
IPS Ashish Tiwari
From IIT and Investment Banking to Public Service, Meet IPS Ashish Tiwari 
Ashish Tiwari, IIT graduate and former investment banker, chose public service over global finance. As...
WhatsApp Image 2025-08-12 at 7.27
First Attempt IRS, Fourth Attempt IPS: The Relentless Pursuit of Jitendra Kumar Yadav Who Cracked UPSC 3 Times
IPS Yadav is originally from Chhattisgarh. He was first selected for the IRS through UPSC and later for...
Social Media
Masahiro Hara
From Go Board to Global Use, How QR Codes Changed the World: IRAS Officer Ananth Rupanagudi Spotlights Masahiro Hara’s Vision
IRAS officer Ananth Rupanagudi shared a video on Masahiro Hara, the inventor of QR codes, highlighting...
IFS Susanta Nanda Video
A Mother’s Duty: Tigress Watches Over Cubs Splashing in Waterhole — Heartwarming Video Shared By Retd. IFS Officer Susanta Nanda
A tender wildlife video shared by Retd. IFS officer Susanta Nanda shows a tigress keeping watch over...
Mohanmala
Kaziranga Mourns: Beloved Elephant Mohanmala Passes Away After Five Decades of Service
Kaziranga National Park mourns the loss of Mohanmala, a beloved elephant who served over 50 years as...
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Latest
NCST Holds Review Meeting with NHPC
NCST Holds Review Meeting with NHPC on Implementation of Safeguards for Scheduled Tribe Employees
MP CM Collector Award Niti Aayog
Sampurnata Abhiyan: Madhya Pradesh Leads NITI Aayog Campaign; Collectors from 8 Districts Win Gold
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Videos
Dr
WhatsApp Image 2025-08-11 at 4.48
WhatsApp Image 2025-08-08 at 5.25
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT