Cybercriminals Swindle Rs. 7 Crores in Fake Hearing Impersonating CJI

By Legal Wires 5 Minutes Read

In a shocking case of cybercrime, SP Oswal, a well-known textile baron and Chairman of the Vardhman Group, became the victim of a sophisticated scam orchestrated by cybercriminals. The fraudsters impersonated Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud and conducted a fake Supreme Court hearing via Skype, deceiving Oswal into transferring a significant amount of Rs. 7 crores to a fraudulent account. This scam highlights the increasing menace of cyber fraud, where impersonation of judges and high-ranking officials is becoming a disturbing trend.

The Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C), under the Ministry of Home Affairs, has intervened in the matter and is actively working to address the growing threat of such scams across the country. The police have managed to recover the defrauded amount on September 30, 2024, marking a critical step towards justice in this complex case.

Details of the Scam

• Fraudulent Supreme Court Hearing: The scam began with Oswal being contacted through a Skype call, purportedly for a hearing in a money laundering case. The fraudsters went to extreme lengths, setting up a fake hearing and impersonating a Supreme Court judge, who they claimed to be Justice DY Chandrachud.
• Oswal’s Testimony: Oswal recounted, “They made a Skype call regarding the court hearing. As per a Supreme Court order, I was directed to release all my funds into a secret supervision account.” The scammers convinced Oswal that the funds were needed for legal proceedings and tricked him into transferring Rs. 7 crores.
• Impersonation of the CJI: During the fake Skype hearing, Oswal could not see the impersonated judge’s face, but the convincing behavior of the fraudster made him believe it was a legitimate court proceeding. Oswal stated, “During the fake Supreme Court hearing via Skype, they introduced the fake judge as Justice Chandrachud. Though I could not see his face, I could hear him talking and banging a hammer on the table. The written SC order was so perfect and stamped that I believed it to be genuine and transferred the amount.”

Police Action and Recovery

• Recovery of Funds: In a commendable effort, the police successfully traced and recovered the stolen funds by September 30. The recovery process involved close coordination between various agencies, showcasing the need for heightened awareness and swift action in tackling digital frauds.
• Digital Arrest Scam: The scam Oswal fell victim to is part of a wider trend known as the digital arrest scam, which uses WhatsApp and Skype video calls to impersonate judges and law enforcement officers. Criminals use these fake setups to extort large sums of money from unsuspecting individuals by threatening legal consequences.
• The Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C) has blocked over 1,000 Skype IDs used in such scams. This proactive step is part of a broader effort to curtail the rising tide of cybercrime that targets vulnerable citizens through digital platforms.

Legal Wires

Team @LegalWires