Scammer posed as a Mumbai police officer, linking the victim’s Aadhaar to a money laundering case involving Jet Airways.
Fraudsters sent fake arrest warrants via WhatsApp and claimed the man was digitally arrested to coerce fund transfers.
Over 10 days, the retired senior citizen transferred ₹1.77 crore; police have launched an investigation under IT Act and BNS.
In a recent case of cybercrime, an 81-year-old retired man from Bengaluru has been a victim of a growing digital arrest scam. He has lost Rs 1.77 crore to fraudsters who tricked him with a fake “digital arrest” over 10 days. The senior citizen, who lives in Sadananda Nagar (NGEF Layout), filed a complaint with the East CEN police on July 23 after realising he had been scammed.
SurveyThe ordeal started on July 5, when he received a call from someone claiming to be “Sandeep Jadhav,” impersonating a police officer from Colaba police station in Mumbai. The caller told him that his Aadhaar number had been linked to a bank account involved in a money laundering case connected to Jet Airways founder Naresh Goyal.
What followed was a well-orchestrated fraud trap. The scammers claimed he was under “digital arrest” and even sent him fake arrest warrants via WhatsApp to make the entire incident believable. They then convinced him that all his money had to be moved to “secure government accounts” as part of the investigation and that the funds would be returned once the probe was complete.
Trusting the caller, the man transferred money via internet banking over the next few days. He sent a total of Rs 1.77 crore, believing he was cooperating with law enforcement.
It wasn’t until the scammers stopped calling that the truth hit him. He had been conned.
Police have registered a case under various sections of the IT Act and the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, including identity theft, impersonation, and cheating. An investigation is underway.
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Officials warned that similar scams have been on the rise, especially those linking victims to high-profile cases like that of Naresh Goyal. The police have urged the public to be cautious and to never transfer money based on threats over a phone call, even if they appear official. It is advised to always verify through official sources first.
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Himani Jha
Himani Jha is a tech news writer at Digit. Passionate about smartphones and consumer technology, she has contributed to leading publications such as Times Network, Gadgets 360, and Hindustan Times Tech for the past five years. When not immersed in gadgets, she enjoys exploring the vibrant culinary scene, discovering new cafes and restaurants, and indulging in her love for fine literature and timeless music. View Full Profile
