New Fraud Style

 So, this is a new fraud style.

They first bought a domain name that is very like a govt domain name: maharashtrapolice.in.

Then, they created an email id on that domain name - cyberpolice-nagpur@maharashtrapolice.in.

Then, they sent instructions to bank managers to freeze certain accounts (176 accounts) because of 'suspicious activity'. The bank account details were accurate.

Then, they called the account holders and told them that their accounts are frozen by the govt, and they have to pay some money to unfreeze them.

Sweta Kumar Trilochan Panigrahi, an assistant manager with a bank, thought the email looked fishy and alerted the authorities.

Two arrests have been made in the case.

What makes this case unique?
A. Government email id was faked.
B. The accounts were actually frozen, so if the victim were to check their accounts, they would find them frozen. They were, therefore, more likely to comply.

A story in my next book does deal with this threat. In that story also, the detective figures out that the domain name cannot belong to the government.

What to do if this happens:
Do not transfer any moneys online to police or anyone else. Visit your branch and speak to the branch manager.

Police are investigating how the details of the account holders reached the fraudsters. Bank employees are expected to be involved.