Try GOLD - Free
Kanpur scribe outwits conman, makes him lose patience, money
Hindustan Times East UP
|March 19, 2025
It is a rare occurrence, in the jungles as well as the human realm, when a hunter becomes the hunted. In such an incident, a journalist in Kanpur showed exceptional wit and turned the tables on a scammer by making the latter pay him thousands of rupees.
KANPUR:
On March 6, Bhupendra Singh, the scribe, got a phone call when he was readying for his wedding anniversary celebration.
The voice on the other end claimed to be from the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). "One of your obscene videos has gone viral," the caller said coldly, sending Singh into a panic. "I have registered a case against you, and I will be sending you a copy," the caller added before abruptly ending the call.
Frozen with fear, Singh rushed to check his phone. The display picture of the caller seemed to show a legitimate CBI officer. "I was scared out of my wits," Singh recalled.
As Singh stood absorbed in a whirlwind of thoughts, another notification chimed. It was a message from the same supposed officer, this time containing an image.
This story is from the March 19, 2025 edition of Hindustan Times East UP.
Subscribe to Magzter GOLD to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 10,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
MORE STORIES FROM Hindustan Times East UP
Hindustan Times East UP
Anchor judicial recusal in institutional design
Arvind Kejriwal’s recusal plea before Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma has reignited debate over a key judicial mechanism — the doctrine of recusal.
3 mins
May 07, 2026
Hindustan Times East UP
Operation Sindoor set a new strategic course
India’s ability to impose punishment on Pakistan was made clear by the military operation. It must convert that into a durable structure of deterrence against the Pakistan army
4 mins
May 07, 2026
Hindustan Times East UP
The thin red line
Operation Sindoor marked a radical shift in India’s response — and held valuable lessons for the country
1 mins
May 07, 2026
Hindustan Times East UP
12 Indian businesses to invest $1.1 billion in US
Twelve Indian businesses announced $1.1 billion in investment in the US on Tuesday to help create jobs and build stronger supply chains, US ambassador to India and special envoy to South and Central Asia Sergio Gor said ina social media post.
1 mins
May 07, 2026
Hindustan Times East UP
NPS Vatsalya enrolments weak at 2.25 lakh since launch
India’s push to build early retirement savings is seeing a slow start, with enrolments under the NPS Vatsalya—which allows parents and guardians to open pension accounts for children below 18—stuck at about 2.25 lakh since its September 2024 launch, three people in the know said.
2 mins
May 07, 2026
Hindustan Times East UP
HDFC Bank governance review finds no major lapses: report
Law firms reviewing governance at HDFC Bank are set to report this month that they have not found any major lapses, two people with direct knowledge of the findings said, clearing the way for the reappointment of its CEO.
1 mins
May 07, 2026
Hindustan Times East UP
Vivek clinches Ohio guv GOP nomination
WASHINGTON: Indian-origin politician Vivek Ramaswamy will be the Republican party's nominee for the post of Ohio Governor after decisively winning a party primary election on Tuesday.
1 min
May 07, 2026
Hindustan Times East UP
Subsidising the status quo: How BEE fails EV transition
The conflict in West Asia delivers a stark reminder: Dependence on foreign energy is a strategic vulnerability.
4 mins
May 07, 2026
Hindustan Times East UP
On counting day, a look at the quality of electoral politics
Record voting is testimony to the tide of the times and a reflection of growing social consciousness.
3 mins
May 04, 2026
Hindustan Times East UP
India's renewables sector needs a fundamental reset
India’s updated Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) for 2031-2035 — a key goal of which is 60% of installed power capacity in the country being non-fossil-fuel-based — announced amid rising geopolitical implications for energy security.
4 mins
May 04, 2026
Listen
Translate
Change font size