70-year-old duped via video call alleging misuse of Aadhaar in terror-funding.
Scammer posed as senior cop Vishwas Nangare Patil, issuing fake arrest threat.
Police urge vigilance as digital arrest scams rise; FIR registered for fraud.
A 70-year-old resident of Koparkhairane in Navi Mumbai fell prey to a sophisticated digital arrest scam, losing Rs 21 lakh in fraudulent transfers. The victim was duped by a cybercriminal impersonating Police Commissioner Vishwas Nangare Patil – a senior police officer who actually serves as Additional Director General of Police (Anti-Corruption Bureau) in Maharashtra.
SurveyThe ordeal started on the morning of August 5, when the victim received an unexpected video call from an unknown number. The caller introduced himself as the police commissioner. He alleged that the elderly woman had misused her Aadhaar card to assist a third party in opening a Canara Bank account for terror-funding. She has also been alleged to have received a Rs 20 lakh commission. The scammer further claimed a CBI investigation was underway and that a non-bailable arrest warrant had been issued.
Under the guise of “digital arrest,” the victim was made to believe she was legally bound until August 19. In an attempt to avoid arrest and legal consequences, she was manipulated into transferring Rs 21 lakh gradually to a bank account provided by the fraudster.
Eventually realising she had been tricked, the victim filed a complaint at the Koparkhairane police station on Tuesday. An FIR has already been registered under sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) related to cheating, followed by a criminal investigation.
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Police officers noted that the impersonator’s claim about his identity should have raised suspicion as Vishwas Nangare Patil holds the rank of Additional DGP (Anti-Corruption Bureau), not Police Commissioner. Authorities have used this detail to warn the public about the growing menace of “digital arrest” scams, urging citizens to verify callers’ claims and remain alert to such modes of cyber deception.
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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
