Fraudsters tricked victims by impersonating NIA and IPS officers, showing fake arrest warrants.
Couple forced into a nonstop four-day “digital arrest” under threat of money laundering charges.
RAK Marg police booked three accused; experts warn such scams are rising in India.
In yet another case of cyber fraud, an elderly couple in Mumbai lost Rs 70 lakh after being tricked into a so-called “digital arrest.” The RAK Marg police have now booked three people in connection with the case. The victim, a 73-year-old retired managing director of a reputed company, filed a police complaint about the same on September 29 after realising he had been duped over four harrowing days.
SurveyIt all started on September 25 with a call from a woman who introduced herself as Vinita Sharma. She claimed his phone number was linked to a terror investigation in Pahalgam. She warned that his bank accounts and phone numbers would be frozen unless he cooperated with the Anti-Terrorism Squad in Delhi.
Soon after, another caller joined in, introducing himself as IG Premkumar Gautam from the National Investigation Agency (NIA). He said the man’s name had surfaced in a money laundering investigation. To make the fiasco sound real, the scammers even shared what seemed to be an arrest warrant with his photograph.
Terrified, the man and his wife were then placed under what the fraudsters called a “digital arrest.” For the next four days, the couple were forced to stay connected on a nonstop video call, cut off from their other devices and monitored round the clock.
On September 26, another man joined the call, pretending to be senior IPS officer Sadanand Date. He threatened that the victim would be booked under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act if he didn’t pay up. Panicked and trapped, the couple followed instructions and made multiple RTGS transfers. To add legitimacy, the fraudsters even sent fake Reserve Bank of India acknowledgements.
On September 27, the scammers declared the couple “free,” only after extracting the final instalment the following day. It was only then that the man realised something was wrong and went to the police.
“We registered an FIR after the complainant came forward. The accused used the name of IPS Sadanand Date, which made the victims believe them. The case is under investigation,” an officer from RAK Marg police said.
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The trio has been booked under the IT Act, as well as charges of impersonation and relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code.
Cyber experts warn that digital arrest scams are becoming increasingly common in India, exploiting fear and impersonating law enforcement. People are advised never to trust unsolicited calls from people claiming to be police or central agencies, and always verify through official numbers.
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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
