The cyber cell of the Mumbai police identified a new trend in digital fraud where crooks create Telegram channels in the names of police stations and call citizens while impersonating officials. False cases and accusations create a panic and are used to extort money from targets.

Recently, a septuagenarian was duped of Rs 3.5 lakh by cyber crooks using a similar trick. The FIR stated that the 70-year-old businessman received a call from somebody claiming to be an officer attached to Lucknow Customs.