In Alwar, Rajasthan a local businessman Ramavatar received a call from his son. This was not a normal call from a son to a father but a nightmare for every parent. On December 7, Ramavatar received a phone call from a number he didn't recognize. The voice on the other end was unmistakably his son's; it was filled with panic and crying, "Papa, save me”

The caller introduced himself as a police officer and said that his son was involved in a kidnapping case. To avoid imprisonment, the officer demanded a huge amount of Rs 3 lakh. Ramavatar was taken aback and did not know how to react. He sought advice from his neighbor and fellow businessman, Satya Vijay.

Satya Vijay’s instincts kicked in. After inspecting the caller’s WhatsApp profile, which displayed a police officer's photo, Satya immediately suspected foul play. He had encountered a similar scam with his nephew, who had also received threatening calls demanding money. He could identify a pattern here, Satya warned Ramavatar that it was likely a cyber fraud.

Ramavatar acted fast. He told the caller that he was going to involve the police. As usual, the fraudster cut off, knowing their scheme was out.

Ramavatar was partially convinced as his son’s phone was unreachable—his phone had been switched off while he was on his honeymoon in Kashmir. Unable to verify his son's safety, Ramavatar was temporarily deceived by the fraudster's convincing act.

How to protect yourself from cyber fraud?

Always verify suspicious claims, consult trusted individuals, and never hesitate to involve the authorities. In the digital age, staying informed and alert can make the difference between falling victim to a scam and outsmarting the scammers.