In a heart-wrenching incident from Agra, Uttar Pradesh, a 58-year-old government school teacher, Malti Verma, tragically died of cardiac arrest after being threatened by cyber fraudsters. The scammers, posing as police officers, falsely accused her daughter of involvement in a sex scandal and demanded a hefty sum of ₹1 lakh to keep the matter under wraps. The event, which unfolded on September 30, highlights the growing threat of cybercrime and its devastating mental and physical toll on victims.
The Incident
On the fateful afternoon of September 30, Malti Verma, an assistant teacher at a Junior High School in Achhnera, received a WhatsApp call from a man posing as a police officer. The caller, identified as "Vijay Kumar", informed her that her daughter had been caught in a sex racket and that her family would face severe consequences if the sum of ₹1 lakh was not paid. The call originated from a number with the +92 country code, indicating it was from Pakistan, a common tactic used by cybercriminals.
To further manipulate the situation, the scammer even provided contact details for another individual, "Mithun Mathur," who was supposed to facilitate the money transfer via Google Pay.
In a panic, Malti immediately contacted her son, Deepanshu Rajput, who quickly recognized the situation as a cyber fraud attempt. After checking the number's origin, he confirmed it was from Pakistan and reassured his mother after verifying that his sister, a college student, was safe and not involved in any such scandal. Despite his reassurances, Malti remained deeply distressed.
A Tragic Turn of Events
The stress of the call took a heavy toll on Malti’s health. After returning home from school that day, she began experiencing severe chest pain and anxiety. Despite efforts to rush her to a nearby hospital, she was pronounced dead on arrival, with doctors confirming cardiac arrest as the cause of death.
"My mother was extremely disturbed after receiving that call. Even though I tried to calm her down and assured her it was a scam, she could not overcome the tension", said Deepanshu, recounting the harrowing series of events.
Family's Complaint & Police Investigation
Following the tragic incident, Malti's husband, Shiv Charan Singh Verma, filed an official complaint with the Jagdishpura police station. In his complaint, he mentioned the details of the threatening calls and the scammers attempts to extort money under the false pretext of his daughter's involvement in a scandal. The Agra police have confirmed that an investigation is underway to track down the fraudsters responsible for this heinous act.
Deputy Commissioner of Police (Agra City) Suraj Rai confirmed, "We are thoroughly investigating the matter and will take necessary action against the fraudsters. This type of crime is becoming more common, and we need to address it with urgency".
The Psychological Impact of Cybercrime
This incident is a chilling reminder of the psychological damage that cyber fraud can inflict on unsuspecting victims. Scammers prey on people’s fears and manipulate them into making hasty decisions, often resulting in severe emotional and mental stress. In Malti Verma's case, the overwhelming anxiety triggered by the threat against her daughter ultimately led to her untimely death.
Experts are now calling for increased awareness of cybercrime tactics and the mental health risks associated with such scams. Congress, in response to the incident, emphasized the need for stronger measures to combat these "digital arrests" that are claiming lives. "This is not the first case of cybercrime having fatal consequences. The growing menace of cyber fraud must be addressed through both legal action and public awareness campaigns", the party stated.
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A Need for Action
While cyber fraud is becoming increasingly sophisticated, this tragedy emphasizes the importance of public education on identifying scams and managing stress during such incidents. Authorities must focus on protecting vulnerable individuals from the pressures applied by cybercriminals and take strict measures to prevent future tragedies like that of Malti Verma.
The Agra police have promised swift action, but the need for a larger, nationwide crackdown on cybercrime is clear. Until then, individuals are urged to remain vigilant, report suspicious activity, and educate their loved ones about the dangers lurking in the digital world.
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