Mysore/Mysuru: Cyber criminals, who accused an elderly man of money laundering, have extorted Rs. 45.50 lakh from him.

The elderly victim is 80-year-old Suresh (name changed), a resident of Vishveshwaranagar in city.

On May 16, Suresh got a call from an unidentified person claiming to be a National Cyber Crime Officer, who accused him (Suresh) of money laundering.

The unidentified man then told Suresh that he would send the phone number of the Public Prosecutor asking Suresh to speak to him.

When Suresh called the number, the so-called Public Prosecutor told Suresh that he was caught in a money laundering case besides telling Suresh to obtain a bail failing which he will be jailed.

The so-called Public Prosecutor then told Suresh that he would get him a bail for which he has to pay and got a total of Rs. 45.50 lakh transferred from Suresh in phases.

When no one called after a few days, Suresh, who realised that he has been cheated, lodged a complaint at city’s Cyber Economic and Narcotics (CEN) Crime Police Station.