Nagpur: A 72-year-old man from Ranapratap Nagar was allegedly duped of ₹15.30 lakh by a cyber fraudster who posed as a police officer from Lucknow and falsely claimed that a SIM card and bank account registered in the victim’s name had been used to support a terrorist organisation.

The victim, identified as Sundarlal Tankbhore (72) of Ranapratap Nagar.

According to the complaint filed with the Cyber Police, the fraud took place between July 22 and August 26, 2026. The unidentified accused allegedly contacted Tankbhore and claimed to be a police officer from Lucknow.

The accused allegedly told the senior citizen that a case had been registered against him because a SIM card and bank account opened in his name were being used to provide financial support to a terrorist organisation. The fraudster further claimed that an arrest warrant had been issued against him.

To make the threat appear genuine, the accused allegedly sent a fake arrest warrant through WhatsApp and threatened the victim with arrest. He then allegedly told Tankbhore that his bank account would have to be verified and offered to arrange his bail.

The victim was allegedly convinced by the fraudster and instructed to transfer money to several bank accounts provided by the accused. Following the instructions, Tankbhore transferred a total of ₹15,30,100.

He later realised that he had been deceived and approached the Cyber Police.

Based on his complaint, Cyber Police registered FIR against the unidentified accused under relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), including Sections 204, 318(2), 318(4), 319(2), 336(2) and 336(4), along with Sections 66(C) and 66(D) of the Information Technology Act.

Police are investigating the bank accounts and mobile numbers allegedly used in the fraud and attempting to identify the accused.