Tech

Inside the 40-Hour Nightmare: How Ankush Bahuguna Fell Prey to a Cyber Scam

“The moment I pressed zero, I made the biggest mistake of my life,” Bahuguna revealed in his emotional Instagram video.

On the other line, a voice claiming to be customer support dropped a bombshell: a package containing illegal substances linked to his name was allegedly being shipped to China, and an arrest warrant had been issued against him.

The scammers then launched into a carefully orchestrated plan that would keep Bahuguna hostage via video call for nearly two days straight. They exhibited deep knowledge of his personal life, using intimate details to build credibility and create fear. “They took my bank details. They gathered so much personal information about my life,” Bahuguna shared, describing how the scammers used this information to maintain control over him.

The psychological manipulation was intense. “They told me, ‘Your parents are in danger,’ and ‘If you try to contact anyone, we’ll arrest you,'” Bahuguna recounted.

The scammers forced him to maintain a facade of normalcy, even as concerned friends began reaching out. When friends showed up at his home to check on him, he had to pretend everything was fine while the scammers monitored his every move through the continuous video call.

The ordeal became even more complex as the scammers demanded suspicious transactions and constant screenshots of his actions. They effectively isolated him from his support system, using fear and threats about destroying his career to keep him compliant. What made their tactics particularly effective was their ability to maintain pressure without letting Bahuguna have a moment to think clearly or seek help.

His salvation came through alert friends who noticed subtle changes in his behavior, even in seemingly normal text messages saying “I’m okay.” Their intervention ultimately helped him break free from the scammers’ grip, though not before he had suffered both financial losses and significant emotional trauma.

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A post shared by Wing It with Ankush Bahuguna (@wingitwithankush)

When questioned about falling for such a scam, Bahuguna offered a powerful perspective: “These scammers do their research and tell you things they know will affect you. I don’t wish this on anyone.”

He emphasized how differently people react under extreme stress and manipulation, pushing back against those who might judge his actions during the ordeal.

His case stands out as a stark example of how modern scammers operate – not just through technical deception, but through sustained psychological pressure and manipulation. The scammers kept him in a constant state of panic and isolation, making it nearly impossible to think clearly or reach out for help. By maintaining an unbroken video call for 40 hours, they effectively created a virtual prison, monitoring his every move and response.

“I feel incredibly fortunate to have friends who picked up on subtle changes in my behavior,” Bahuguna wrote, acknowledging how crucial external intervention was in ending his nightmare. His experience highlights not just the sophistication of modern scammers, but also the importance of community awareness and support in combating these threats.

Now, Bahuguna is using his platform to warn others, emphasizing that such scams can happen to anyone, regardless of their digital literacy or public profile. His message is clear: rather than judging victims, we need to focus on spreading awareness and understanding how these scammers operate. As he puts it, “Instead of calling this stupid, make people around you aware of it.”