In a bizarre turn of events, a scammer impersonated the Chief Justice of India (CJI), DY Chandrachud, in an attempt to con an unsuspecting individual out of ₹500. The scam has caught the public’s attention after screenshots of the interaction went viral on social media, sparking widespread outrage and disbelief.
The Viral Scam Message
Supreme Court of India on instructions of CJI DY Chandrachud registers a cyber crime complaint in the case where a scammer impersonated CJI Chandrachud, and asked for ₹500 for a cab #SupremeCourt pic.twitter.com/ZsG89bM4bj
— Debayan Roy (@DebayonRoy) August 27, 2024
The scammer, pretending to be CJI Chandrachud, sent a message to an individual, claiming to be stuck in Connaught Place and urgently needing ₹500 for a cab fare. The message read, “Hello, I am CJI, and we have an urgent meeting at the collegium. I am stuck at Connaught Place. Can you send me 500rs for a cab? I will return the money once I reach the court.”
Adding a touch of supposed authenticity, the scammer signed off with, “Sent from iPad,” further attempting to make the request seem genuine.
Supreme Court’s Response
Upon learning about the incident, the Supreme Court of India quickly responded. On August 27, under the instructions of CJI Chandrachud, a formal complaint was lodged with the cyber crime cell to investigate the matter.
Public Reactions
Social media users were quick to mock the scammer’s audacity. One person quipped, “Sent from iPad – genuine cause,” while another wrote, “Haha. CJI asking for Rs 500.” Others were less amused, with one user commenting, “Whoever this is, is going to jail.”
Growing Cybercrime Concerns in India
This incident is just one of many in the growing landscape of cybercrime in India. According to I4C, an initiative of the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), there has been a significant rise in cybercrime activities, many of which originate from Southeast Asia. These scams range from investment and stock market frauds to fake job offers and digital extortion.
Rajesh Kumar, a 2002-batch IPS officer and CEO of I4C, noted that cybercrime operations often lure Indian youths with fake employment opportunities, trapping them in various scams. These activities are highly organized, involving sophisticated financial transactions, including cryptocurrency and international fund transfers.
The Need for Vigilance
As cybercrime continues to evolve, incidents like this serve as a stark reminder of the importance of staying vigilant in the digital age. The Supreme Court’s swift action in filing a complaint highlights the seriousness with which such matters are treated, but it also underscores the need for individuals to be cautious and skeptical of unexpected requests for money, no matter how convincing they may seem.
