A woman in northeast Delhi fell victim to a scam that left her under 'digital house arrest' for several hours.
The fraudsters called the victim, introduced themselves as CBI Crime Branch officials, and falsely informed her that her husband had been arrested.
They demanded a ransom of Rs 2 lakh.
In a shocking incident from early August, a woman in northeast Delhi fell victim to a scam that left her under ‘digital house arrest’ for several hours. The scammers, posing as officials from the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), demanded a ransom of Rs 2 lakh, claiming that her husband had been arrested on rape charges.
SurveyThe incident, reported by PTI (via TOI), involved three scammers—Raju Ray (29), Guddu Kumar Sharma (29), and Pappu Kumar (22)—all residents of Bihar. The fraudsters called the victim, introduced themselves as CBI Crime Branch officials, and falsely informed her that her husband had been arrested. They threatened to make the matter public if she did not pay Rs 2 lakh for his release. Fearing the consequences, the woman transferred the amount to two bank accounts provided by the scammers.
Deputy Commissioner of Police (Northeast) Joy Tirkey, speaking on the case, said, “A complaint was received from an NDMC employee that his wife received a call from an unknown number, and the callers introduced themselves as officials from the CBI Crime Branch.” The scammers kept the woman on the phone for about six hours. Based on intelligence and technical surveillance, the police conducted raids in Bihar, leading to the arrest of the trio.
What is Digital Arrest?
A digital arrest refers to the restriction or suspension of someone’s online activities or digital presence by authorities. This can include blocking access to social media accounts, websites, or online communication tools. It essentially acts like a traditional arrest but within the digital realm.
Also read: Over Rs 10 crore lost in an IPO scam targeting professionals: Two cases unveiled
Tips to Stay Safe
- Be cautious of unsolicited calls and messages: Never share personal or financial information with unknown callers.
- Verify authenticity: If you receive unexpected requests, cross-check the information with official sources.
- Stay informed: Regularly update yourself on the latest cyber threats and scams through trusted resources.
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Ayushi Jain
Ayushi works as Chief Copy Editor at Digit, covering everything from breaking tech news to in-depth smartphone reviews. Prior to Digit, she was part of the editorial team at IANS. View Full Profile
