In a disturbing incident, renowned city-based writer and poet Naresh Saxena was subjected to a six-hour “digital arrest” by cybercriminals posing as CBI officers in Lucknow. The scammers aimed to intimidate the elderly poet into believing he was implicated in a money-laundering case.
During the video call, the fraudsters engaged Saxena in a bizarre manner, even asking him to recite poetry, including couplets from Mirza Ghalib and Faiz Ahmed Faiz, while lavishing praise on his work. Fortunately, his family grew alarmed after he failed to emerge from his room, intervening just in time to prevent the scam.
The ordeal began on July 7 at 3 p.m. when Saxena received a video call from an individual claiming to be a CBI inspector named Rohan Sharma. The caller informed him that someone had allegedly opened an account in Mumbai using his Aadhaar card, leading to a significant money-laundering investigation. He falsely threatened Saxena with arrest unless he cooperated.
The scammer, dressed in a police uniform, further convinced Saxena by asking personal questions regarding his bank accounts and investments. He requested the poet to prove his identity by reciting poetry, which Saxena did, unwittingly prolonging the ordeal.
For six hours, the impersonator kept Saxena occupied, assuring him that his cooperation would lead to a quick release from this fabricated “house arrest.” The caller instructed him to isolate himself and not inform his family.
When the family realized something was amiss, Saxena’s daughter-in-law took charge, snatched the phone, and disconnected the call. Following the incident, Saxena filed a complaint at the Gomti Nagar police station, which is now investigating the case.
