Fraudsters impersonated Mumbai police, accusing the victim of money laundering and placing him under “digital arrest.”
Victim transferred Rs 34.69 lakh over 20 days, taking a loan and pawning gold to meet demands for a fake “verification account.”
Authorities warn of rising “digital arrest” scams and urge citizens to verify claims directly with police before sending money.
Cyber fraudsters posing as Mumbai police allegedly extorted over Rs 34 lakh from a 35-year-old software engineer in Bengaluru after keeping him under a so-called “digital arrest” for 20 days, police said. The East Division Cyber Crime Police have registered an FIR under sections 318 (cheating) and 308 (extortion) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) against unknown persons following a complaint from the victim, a resident of Babusapalya.
SurveyAccording to the complaint filed, the victim received a call on July 5 from a person from the Colaba police station in Mumbai. The caller alleged that the victim’s phone number was being used to send harassing messages and to facilitate money laundering. The victim was further told he would be placed under round-the-clock surveillance.
The FIR states that the fraudsters coerced the man into sharing his bank account details under the pretext of assisting in an investigation and a court hearing. They then instructed him to transfer all his funds into a “verification account” to prove that his money was not linked to illegal activities.
Between July 5 and July 24, the victim transferred Rs 34.69 lakh into accounts specified by the accused. To arrange the amount, he reportedly took a personal loan and pawned gold jewellery in his possession.
The scam came to light after the accused switched off their phones and cut off all communication once the money had been received.
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Police said the case is part of a rising trend of “digital arrest” scams, where cybercriminals impersonate law enforcement officials, threatening victims of legal consequences, and demanding money under the guise of an investigation. Authorities have urged citizens to verify such claims directly with the concerned police station and to avoid transferring funds to unknown accounts.
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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
