Lucknow: Two senior citizens in the state capital — a retired schoolteacher and a former railway official — have fallen victim to major cyber fraud, collectively losing over ₹30 lakh to callers posing as officials from Uttar Pradesh’s Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS), Special Task Force (STF), and other government departments. The UP Cyber Crime Police has launched a probe into both incidents.
Retired Teacher Loses ₹12.57 Lakh After Threat Calls
The first complaint was filed by Gaya Prasad Tripathi, a retired teacher living in Rajajipuram. Tripathi told police that on November 7, he received a call from a man who introduced himself as an “ATS inspector” posted in Lucknow.
The caller alleged that Tripathi’s mobile number had been flagged for “suspicious links with Pakistan” and claimed that a Delhi-based individual named Afzal Khan had reported him for illegal activities. Under the pretext of protecting him from arrest, the fraudster allegedly coerced Tripathi into transferring ₹12.57 lakh.
Inspector Brijesh Yadav confirmed that an FIR has been lodged and that ₹2.5 lakh from the fraudulent transactions has already been frozen. Police teams are now analysing IP address data and technical evidence to trace the suspects.
Ex-Railway Officer Defrauded of ₹18 Lakh Through ‘Digital Arrest’
In another case reported from Alambagh, Tej Bahadur Singh, a retired railway officer, lost ₹18 lakh on November 9 after fraudsters held him under what is commonly known as a “digital arrest”.
According to police, the first caller pretended to be from the Information Department and falsely claimed that an Aadhaar card connected to Singh’s bank account had been used in a terror-related transaction. He was then transferred to another number, which displayed a forged ATS caller ID and logo.
The second caller allegedly accused Singh of financing terrorists and warned him that a case had already been registered in Jammu & Kashmir. Using fear and fake documents, the fraudsters pressured him into transferring money in two instalments. When Singh realised he had been duped, he immediately approached the police.
Police Appeal for Caution
Both cases are being investigated by the UP Cyber Crime unit, which has urged citizens — particularly senior citizens and retired government employees — to stay alert against callers claiming to be from enforcement agencies. Officials stressed that no investigative agency demands money over the phone or threatens immediate arrest.
The police have advised residents to verify unknown calls, avoid sharing personal details, and immediately report suspicious communication to the cyber helpline 1930.
