scam alert
Digital arrest scams have been on the rise, with fraudsters posing as law enforcement officials, manipulating people to transfer funds. In a recent incident, a 50-year-old doctor from Coimbatore became the victim of a digital arrest scam, losing Rs 2.9 crore to cybercriminals. Fortunately, he was rescued by officials from the Tamil Nadu Cybercrime Wing after discovering that the doctor had isolated himself, following the scammers’ instructions.
The incident took place on June 27, when the doctor received a call from someone claiming to be from the Mumbai Cybercrime Police Station. The caller accused him of being involved in cyber fraud and threatened to arrest him unless he transferred Rs 2.9 crore. The fraudsters continued to demand more money, exploiting the doctor’s fear and confusion.
However, the State Cyber Command Centre became aware of the ongoing scam during a preemptive intelligence operation. They learned of two ongoing scams, one in Tamil Nadu and another in Jharkhand. While the Jharkhand police were alerted, a dedicated team from the Tamil Nadu Cybercrime Police was sent to the doctor’s residence.
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When the officers arrived, the doctor refused to open the door, convinced that he was under “digital arrest” as per the scammers’ instructions. After nearly two hours of persuasion, the victim finally realised he had been scammed.
Fortunately, the police blocked the transfer in time, preventing further financial loss. A formal complaint has been filed, and an investigation is being conducted.
Authorities have urged the public to remain cautious and report such incidents promptly. Victims of digital arrest scams can contact the Cybercrime Helpline at 1930 or file complaints at www.cybercrime.gov.in.