Coimbatore: In a shocking case of cybercrime, a private college lecturer was defrauded of ₹12 lakh by a hacker under the pretext of removing her morphed photo from a loan app. The accused, identified as 31-year-old S. Aravind, has been arrested by Coimbatore police. This incident underscores the growing menace of cyber fraud and the misuse of personal information.
How It Began: A Small Loan Turns Into a Nightmare
The victim, a 33-year-old lecturer, had taken a ₹30,000 loan from a mobile app in 2023 to address a financial need. However, she soon found herself harassed by the app operators, who demanded inflated interest payments. In addition to relentless calls, the fraudsters reportedly used morphed images to pressure her into paying more.
The Hacker’s Role
S. Aravind, a self-proclaimed cybersecurity expert, encountered the lecturer during a cybersecurity awareness session at her college. Exploiting the victim’s vulnerable state, he assured her of assistance in removing the morphed photo and ending the harassment.
However, Aravind’s intentions were far from genuine. Over a span of 14 months, he extorted ₹12 lakh from the lecturer, threatening to misuse her personal information if she did not comply with his demands.
The Arrest and Legal Action
The Coimbatore police apprehended Aravind following a detailed investigation. He has been charged under:
- IPC Section 420 (Cheating and dishonestly inducing delivery of property)
- IT Act Section 66D (Punishment for cheating by personation by using computer resources).
Police officials have urged the public to exercise caution while dealing with online platforms and to report any suspicious activities immediately.
A Separate Cyber Fraud Case: Senior Citizen Duped
In a related incident, a 75-year-old man from Karamadai fell victim to another cyber scam. The elderly man lost ₹10.6 lakh to fraudsters posing as Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) officers. The scammers lured him into transferring money under the pretext of resolving a fabricated legal issue.
Authorities are investigating both cases and are working to trace the flow of funds in the scams.
The Growing Threat of Cybercrime
Cybercrime has become increasingly sophisticated, targeting vulnerable individuals across various demographics. From morphed images to impersonation, scammers employ psychological manipulation to exploit their victims. Law enforcement agencies emphasize the importance of digital literacy and awareness to combat such threats.
Public Awareness and Safety Measures
To safeguard against similar crimes, the police recommend the following precautions:
- Verify the authenticity of apps before sharing personal information.
- Avoid clicking on suspicious links or downloading unverified apps.
- Be cautious when contacted by individuals claiming to represent official organizations.
- Report any harassment or threats to the cybercrime cell immediately.
Looking Ahead
As the cases of cyber fraud continue to rise, the need for stricter regulations and improved digital literacy has become paramount. The incidents in Coimbatore highlight the urgency of addressing these challenges to protect individuals from falling prey to cybercriminals.
