84-year-old retired govt officer duped by cybercriminals posing as cops.
Victim transferred Rs 1.7 crore under threat during fake digital arrest.
FIR filed under extortion and IT Act; probe into fraud underway.
Cybercrime cases continue to escalate, with fraudsters continuously targeting elderly people in digital arrest scams. In the latest incident, an 84-year-old retired government officer from Noida was duped of Rs 1.70 crore after being virtually confined by scammers posing as law enforcement officials. According to police reports, the victim, a former deputy director with the Union Ministry of Commerce, received a call on September 9 alleging that a mobile number registered under his name was linked to illegal activities.
SurveyDespite denying the claims, he was connected to another caller impersonating a police officer. This impersonator accused him of money laundering and told him that the CBI would investigate the matter.
The fraudsters escalated the pressure by showing the victim his Aadhaar card over a video call and asking him to travel to Mumbai for interrogation. Considering his advanced age, they instead subjected him to a so-called online probe, effectively placing him under “digital arrest” between September 9 and 15.
During this period, the scammers coerced him into transferring massive sums of Rs 1.30 crore in one transaction and Rs 40 lakh in another, under the guise of verification for the investigation. The victim complied, fearing legal consequences.
It wasn’t until September 15 that the criminals demanded an additional Rs 20 lakh. The victim stumbled upon a news report describing a similar modus operandi and alerted his son, who immediately contacted authorities.
“A case has been registered under sections of extortion, cheating, and impersonation of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and the IT Act. An investigation is underway to identify the culprits,” confirmed Vinod Kumar, Station House Officer of the Cybercrime Branch.
Also read: Snapdragon leads India’s premium smartphone chipset market with 40 pct share, says CMR
Cyber experts have repeatedly warned that “digital arrest” scams are on the rise, targeting vulnerable individuals by threatening them with legal trouble. Citizens are advised to verify any such claims directly with official authorities and never transfer money under threat calls.
Follow Us
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
