Retired teacher & doctor forced into fake “digital arrest,” losing life savings to fraudsters.
Scammers staged a virtual court and impersonated officials to demand transfers.
Cyber Police recovered Rs 55 lakh; authorities warn elderly are prime scam targets.
An elderly couple in Kanhangad, both retired government employees, lost their entire life savings of Rs 2.4 crore after falling prey to a “virtual arrest” scam. The case was filed at the Kasaragod Cyber Police on Thursday. The victims, a 69-year-old retired schoolteacher and his 72-year-old wife, a former government homoeopathy doctor, were trapped in a fake digital arrest for 11 days. Fraudsters impersonated officials from the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI), the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), and even held a virtual court.
SurveyThe ordeal started on August 10 when the couple received a call from an international number. The caller claimed that the wife was involved in a money laundering case. Soon after, they received a WhatsApp video call from a man in a police uniform and a translator who accused them of links to former Jet Airways chairman Naresh Goyal, alleging that the victim was involved in financial transactions with him. They even claimed that during a raid on the residence, the wife’s ID card and bank details had been recovered.
The couple was told they were under “virtual arrest” and ordered to stay on video call at all times. “We needed their permission for basic needs. Even for a doctor’s visit, my wife had to seek approval,” the husband said.
On August 12, the scammers even staged a fake virtual court hearing. The couple, believing it was real, complied with instructions to transfer all their savings for “account verification.” Between August 19 and 21, they made four transfers amounting to Rs 2.4 crore to accounts that the fraudsters claimed belonged to the Supreme Court.
The scam came to light only when a visiting relative grew suspicious. With his help, the victims approached their bank and later complained to the police. Cyber Police registered a case under Section 316(4) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and Section 66(D) of the IT Act. Authorities managed to freeze part of the funds, recovering about Rs 55 lakh so far.
Police officials warned that “virtual arrest” scams are on the rise, with elderly citizens being primary targets. Awareness drives are now being conducted to educate the public.
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How to stay safe
- Do not trust unsolicited calls, SMS, or WhatsApp messages.
- Watch for red flags: urgent demands for money, threats of arrest, or requests for OTPs and bank details.
- Always verify through official channels or consult family before acting.
- In case of fraud, immediately report to the Cyber Crime Helpline (1930) to increase chances of fund recovery.
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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
