Sambalpur: Two Medical Students of Vimsar looted by Scammers through fake FIRs and Police Uniform; Police Investigation Underway
Thousands Lost in Fraud Despite Police Complaint
Sambalpur: Two postgraduate medical students from the Veer Surendra Sai Institute of Medical Sciences and Research (VIMSAR) in Burla recently fell victim to a digital scam and lost a large sum of money. Fraudsters stole Rs. 22,000 from one student and cheated another student of Rs. 1.2 lakh. Though the students filed a case at the Burla police station, the police have not identified or caught the perpetrators.
Sambalpur’s Additional SP, Haresh Pandey, has urged citizens not to be afraid of such scams and to report them to the police right away.
Fake Police Threat Calls and Bogus FIRs
According to police, both students received calls from unknown numbers over two days. The scammers frightened them by sending fake FIRs in PDF format, claiming the students were involved in false criminal charges. The FIR documents even included detailed descriptions of the alleged crimes and had their names. Believing the FIRs were real, the students agreed to a video call with the scammers.
Online Sambalpur Is Now On WhatsApp!
Join us for the latest news updates delivered directly to your WhatsApp.
Subscribe Us On YouTube!
Join us for the latest news updates and video content delivered directly to you.
During the video call, the scammers had their phone settings display them as “Cyber Inspector” or “DSP,” and they were dressed in police uniforms, adding authenticity to their threats. The scammers exploited the students’ anxiety by demanding money to “resolve” the issue and claiming they would release them if they complied. Following several hours of intimidation, the students transferred the funds to the scammers.
Police Warns Public Against Digital Scams
The Burla SDPO stated that the scam used a sophisticated digital setup, with the scammers easily finding personal details online and even posing in police uniforms. He warned the public not to panic if confronted by such scammers, as it is common for them to use fear tactics to extract money. The police advise everyone to avoid paying any money and to report such incidents immediately.
