RJD MLC Held Hostage in 12-Hour Video Call Scam by Cyber Fraudsters in Patna
Patna: Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) Member of Legislative Council (MLC) Mohammad Shoaib was kept under digital arrest for nearly 12 hours by cyber fraudsters who posed as officials from the Mumbai Cyber Crime Branch.
The incident took place on April 8 while the MLC was at his official residence in the MLC quarters near R Block, Patna. According to police, the scammers initiated a video call around 10:30 am and kept him on call until midnight, using threats and manipulation to extract sensitive personal and financial information.
The fraudsters accused Shoaib of being involved in a money laundering case allegedly linked to an account in Canara Bank, Mumbai, and cited a fake case number to convince him. They warned him against seeking help, saying, “If you tell anyone, people around you may kill you.”
Fearful and isolated, the MLC complied with their instructions throughout the day. It was only after 12 hours that he grew suspicious and contacted a cyber cell officer, who confirmed that he had been targeted by cyber criminals.
Though no financial loss occurred, the criminals managed to collect significant personal data. According to Shoaib’s written complaint filed on April 9 at the Cyber Police Station, the fraudsters:
- Took complete details of his bank accounts
- Asked for information on cash, gold, and other assets
- Took Aadhaar card details
- Made him sign a blank paper and send a photo of it
Fortunately, the MLC’s bank accounts remained secure, and the attempt at fraud was foiled in time.
Investigation Underway
DSP Raghavendra Mani Tripathi, in-charge of the Cyber Police Station, confirmed the incident and said the mobile numbers used in the scam are under investigation. Police have registered a case and are examining possible links to organized cybercrime rings.
