Corrupt official gets call from ‘Lokayukta’ office:Says, ‘It will cost ₹50,000 to dispose case’; Tehsildar records conversation hands over to police

Dewas Deputy Tehsildar Harshal Bahrani received a phone call from a man claiming to be a Lokayukta officer, who told him that the file concerning the Economic Offences Wing’s (EOW) action against him had reached their office. The caller demanded Rs 50,000, suggesting that payments could help “get rid of the case.” Bahrani, still reeling from being caught red-handed by the EOW taking a bribe of Rs 15,000 just two days earlier, told the caller he had been framed. The man further claimed to have connections “up to the top” and said he could also get the EOW case dismissed. Bahrani recorded the conversation and lodged a complaint with the Dewas Superintendent of Police. Authorities suspect the incident involves cyber fraudsters attempting to extort money by impersonating Lokayukta officials, and an investigation is underway. Three days after the bribe… ‘Lokayukta’s’ call Exactly three days after the EOW action, on the morning of November 4, Harshal Bahrani received a call from an unknown number. At first, he didn’t pick up the phone, but when messages started coming continuously from the same number on WhatsApp, he responded. The caller ID showed ‘Lokayukta Bhopal’ before the number, which increased Bahrani’s concern further. Bahrani says that when I answered the phone, the person on the other end identified himself as a senior officer from Bhopal Lokayukta and came straight to the point. He demanded Rs 50,000 in exchange for not registering a case. The person said – I can get the action cancelled This conversation continued on WhatsApp call. The alleged officer cleverly convinced Bahrani that he sits so high in the system that he can even get the EOW action dismissed. He said, ‘We will get your case closed right here, just make the arrangements.’ Bahrani felt something was wrong in this conversation, but they were also scared. Showing courage, they recorded the entire conversation with the alleged officer. After this, they immediately contacted Lokayukta SP, EOW SP and Dewas SP to file a complaint about this fake call. Looking at the seriousness of the case, Dewas SP has handed over the complaint to CSP for investigation. Read the full conversation between the alleged officer and Harshal Bahrani… Alleged Officer: Hello, I am speaking from Lokayukta Bhopal. Harshal Bahrani: Yes sir, please tell me clearly, is there a complaint against me? Alleged Officer: Yes, it’s the EOW complaint only. Harshal Bahrani: Sir, EOW has taken wrong action. Alleged Officer: (Assuring) You won’t have any problem. I will get everything done. Harshal Bahrani: Please tell me what needs to be done, sir. Alleged Officer: Tell me, how much will you give? Harshal Bahrani: Sir, you tell me. Alleged Officer: Do as you think fit. Harshal Bahrani: 20 thousand…? Alleged Officer: No, it will be 50. Harshal Bahrani: Okay sir, I’ll make arrangements. Alleged Officer: (putting pressure) Will you make arrangements now? Harshal Bahrani: I’ll tell you sir. You tell me how to send the money so I can make arrangements accordingly. Someone can come and collect it. Alleged Officer: I can’t take it through a person, I’ll get caught. Leave it. Do it over phone (online). Harshal Bahrani: Yes sir. Alleged Officer: I’ll meet you in Indore day after tomorrow. Harshal Bahrani: I’ll let you know sir. A few hours later, the alleged officer called again…. Increase in fraud incidents through WhatsApp calls According to cyber experts, fraudsters are no longer just offering bank OTPs or lottery temptations, but they are carrying out crimes after thorough research. They create lists of government officers or employees from the internet, social media and news who have recently been involved in any investigation, trap or controversy. After this, they create fake identities by putting the name, position and government department logo of a senior official on any caller ID app or WhatsApp DP. This convinces the victim that the call is genuinely from an officer. They create psychological pressure on the victim by threatening job loss, loss of respect and legal action. In a way, they intimidate them. Attempt to defraud Indore police officer Along with fear, they also present themselves as saviors. They say, “I will handle everything,” which makes the scared person start trusting them. Similarly, Indore’s Additional DCP Seema Alawa also escaped from becoming a victim of fraud. Alawa says that she received a call from a person who identified himself as an employee of the Pension Department. First, he kept talking to me about pension, and when he asked me when I retired. Then I understood that this person was fake. Retired officers also becoming victims This trend is not limited to serving officers only. Retired officers and employees, who remain concerned about their pension and respect, are also becoming easy targets. Case 1: Fraud with Retired DSP by posing as Treasury Officer On October 13, Indore’s retired DSP Dhyanurao Bachhan (65) received a phone call. The caller identified himself as D.K. Tiwari, an officer from Bhopal Treasury Office. He said there was some discrepancy in your pension file, and needed PAN and Aadhar card to fix it. After this, he sent a link on WhatsApp and said that clicking on it would release your pending arrears. As soon as Dhyanurao opened the link, the alleged officers siphoned off Rs 2.25 lakh from their account. Case 2: Cyber fraud of 68 lakhs by posing as CBI officer In Bhopal, BHEL retired supervisor Vinod Kumar Gupta (71) fell victim to digital arrest. The fraudsters, posing as Telecom and CBI officers, held him hostage for two months. They scared the elderly man by claiming his name was involved in human trafficking and money laundering cases. To gain trust, they also sent fake notices and documents with government logos on WhatsApp. Out of fear, Vinod Kumar transferred Rs 68.30 lakh to 9 different bank accounts over two months.