In a tragic incident, an Agra teacher died after succumbing to a heart attack following a distressing phone call from online fraudsters who falsely asserted that her daughter was entangled in a prostitution ring.This episode transpired on September 30, 2024, and has deeply traumatized the family; the emotional burden of the call allegedly precipitated the teacher's premature demise.

The victim, Malti Verma (58), was a devoted government educator at a Junior High School in Achhnera, Agra. She received a WhatsApp call from an unknown number during school hours. According to her family, the fraudsters on the call posed as police officers and falsely claimed that Verma’s daughter had been ensnared in a sex scandal.

They demanded Rs 1 lakh to ensure the alleged scandal remained concealed, further intimidating her with threats of exposing her daughter’s identity and tarnishing her reputation. Although these tactics are common, the tragedy illustrates the profound psychological impact such deception can have on individuals. However, this incident raises critical questions about the vulnerability of unsuspecting victims in a digital age.

Deepanshu Rajput, Verma’s son, spoke to the media about the events that transpired. He explained that his mother received the call around noon on September 30, during which the fraudsters created a state of panic by insisting that her daughter was in serious trouble. Concerned about the situation, Verma immediately called her son to inform him about the alarming allegations made by the supposed police officers.

Agra Teacher Dies
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Rajput described how he tried to calm his mother down by validating the phone number and instantly realized it was a fraud perpetrated by cybercriminals. He contacted his sister and established that the crooks' claims were false. "Everything seemed normal when I spoke to my sister," Rajput told me. "I convinced my mother that the call was a hoax and that she shouldn't be concerned. I even asked her to disregard the threats and remain cool, but the incident had a profound impact on her."

Despite her son's promises, Verma couldn't shake the fear and anxiety caused by the phoney communication. Her emotional state deteriorated during the day. When she got home from school later that afternoon, she complained of chest pain and severe anxiety. Her relatives, concerned about her deteriorating health, rushed her to a neighbouring hospital. Tragically, Verma suffered a heart attack and was declared dead by medical officials.

Rajput shared his sadness, describing how the scam not only attacked his mother monetarily but also had a deadly impact on her health. "She was a victim of cyber fraud," he informed me. "However, the devastation went beyond money. The stress and fear they placed on her resulted in her death.

Following the tragedy, Verma's family filed an official complaint with the local police, pushing them to look into the cyber scam that claimed her life. Anandveer Singh, the officer in charge of the Jagdishpura Police Station, confirmed receiving the complaint. He told the family that the incident would be thoroughly investigated and those responsible for the bogus call would suffer the right consequences.

The incident has raised serious concerns about the growing number of cybercrimes in India, particularly those that prey on the vulnerable by instilling fear and exploiting their emotional distress. Verma's death underscores the dangers of such schemes, even beyond financial losses. The family is still mourning the loss of a wonderful mother and teacher, who was taken far too soon by cybercriminals' evil activities.

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