No govt agency works on phone, never trust any call: SP Oswal

New Delhi: Never transfer money when demanded by cybercriminals posing as investigating officers as investigative agencies do not work on the telephone, cautioned Vardhman Group Chairman SP Oswal, who fell prey to an inter-state network of cybercriminals recently.

Wiser after being duped Rs7 crore by inter-state cyber fraudsters in August-end, the head of a leading vertically integrated textile manufacturer in India told PTI that he stands educated that there is nothing called ‘digital custody’ so whenever any call is received trying to implicate anyone in a crime, the call must not be entertained. To take on the cyber criminals, Oswal advises people to confront them physically in the presence of a personal lawyer.

“Their strategy is to involve you in some cases, whether it is a drug case or PMLA (Prevention of Money Laundering Act) -- money laundering case. In my case, it was money laundering, and (they) conveyed to me that some bank account is operated in my name in Bombay and some illegal transitions have taken place,” Oswal said while recollecting his experience. Despite denying having any such account, the cyber criminals acted so convincingly, posing as CBI officials, that innocent people can easily become victims, he noted. “I was also a victim of my own innocence,” Oswal said. When asked what would be his advice to everyone to prevent such traps by cyber fraudsters, he said, “One, if there’s any call coming in the name of telecom regulatory authority to talk to somebody, it is a fake call, put it down. Never take it!” Number two, he said, “there is nothing like digital custody. This is nonsense”. In his third piece of advice, Oswal said, “never transfer money.