Teacher Dies from Heart Attack in India After Scam Call About Daughter’s Alleged Involvement in Sex Racket

In a tragic turn of events, a woman in Agra lost her life due to an alleged phone scam that preyed on her parental instincts. Malti Verma, a 58-year-old government school teacher, received a distressing WhatsApp call on Monday that claimed her college-age daughter had been implicated in a sex racket. This incident not only highlights the rising trend of telephone fraud but also the severe psychological toll such scams can take.

The alarming call came from a man using a profile picture of a police officer, which added a veneer of credibility to the scheme. During the conversation, the caller insisted that Ms. Verma must transfer ~ CA$1600 (₹1 lakh) to a specific bank account to secure her daughter’s safe return and to prevent any legal repercussions. According to Ms. Verma’s son, Dipanshu, the call occurred around noon and sent their family into a panic.

“After she received the call, my mother immediately contacted me,” Dipanshu recalled. “I asked her to share the number that had called her. Upon checking, I discovered it had a +92 prefix, indicating it was a scam. I warned her, but she remained anxious and started to feel unwell.”

Despite Dipanshu’s attempts to reassure her—informing her that his sister was safe and unharmed—Ms. Verma’s condition continued to decline. After returning home from work, she reported experiencing chest pain. The family provided her with something to drink, but unfortunately, her health deteriorated rapidly. “She passed away shortly after returning home,” Dipanshu added, grief-stricken.

The family officially lodged a complaint on Thursday with the local authorities. Additional Commissioner of Police Mayank Tiwari confirmed that an investigation into the scam call is underway. “The family has reported that Ms. Verma suffered a heart attack, allegedly triggered by the stress of the scam call,” Tiwari stated. “We are currently tracing the number from which the call was made and will take appropriate legal action.”

This heart-wrenching incident is a stark reminder of the psychological and emotional impact that fraud can have on victims and their families. As the number of scam cases continues to rise, awareness and education about such tactics become increasingly crucial. In 2023 alone, India reported a significant surge in cases related to online and telephonic scams, with thousands of individuals falling prey to similar fraudulent schemes.

Authorities urge the public to be vigilant when receiving unsolicited calls, especially those involving sensitive topics or urgent financial requests. If you or someone you know receives a suspicious call, it’s important to verify the information independently and refrain from sharing personal or financial details.

As the investigation unfolds, the community mourns the loss of a dedicated educator whose life was tragically cut short by the fear generated by a fraudulent call.