MLA Thiruvanchoor Radhakrishnan Targeted in Elaborate Virtual Arrest Scam
KOTTAYAM: Former minister and sitting MLA, Thiruvanchoor Radhakrishnan, has become the latest high-profile target of an elaborate ‘virtual arrest’ scam orchestrated via WhatsApp. Fraudsters, posing as officials from the Mumbai Police, attempted to intimidate the veteran politician, claiming his Aadhaar number had been implicated in a crime registered in Mumbai.
The sophisticated scam unfolded when Radhakrishnan received a WhatsApp call from individuals who identified themselves as Mumbai Police personnel. They alleged that a criminal offense had been committed in Mumbai using his Aadhaar number and phone number, demanding an immediate investigation. The callers’ conversation, a mix of Hindi and English, reportedly struck Radhakrishnan as unnatural and raised his suspicions from the outset, leading him to quickly discern the deceptive nature of the call.
During the interaction, staff members of the MLA observed that one of the callers on the video call was dressed in a police uniform, adding a layer of apparent authenticity to the fraudulent attempt. Despite this facade, Radhakrishnan’s vigilance prevented the scam from progressing further.
Following the incident, Thiruvanchoor Radhakrishnan promptly lodged a formal complaint with the State Police Chief. Acting on the DGP’s directives, the cyber cell unit has launched a comprehensive investigation into the matter. Authorities are currently focusing their efforts on tracing the phone number used by the fraudsters and pinpointing their location.
This incident serves as a crucial reminder of the increasing prevalence and sophistication of online scams, urging the public, including prominent personalities, to exercise extreme caution when dealing with unsolicited calls or messages, especially those demanding personal information or threatening legal action. The ongoing investigation aims to apprehend those responsible for this attempted fraud and prevent similar incidents from targeting other unsuspecting individuals.