Fraudsters posed as CBI/ED officials, linking him to a Jet Airways money laundering case.
Victim was kept under fake “digital arrest” via WhatsApp video calls with staged court sessions.
Lost Rs 31 lakh in two instalments before realising the scam and filing a police complaint.
A former MLA from Aurad constituency in Karnataka’s Bidar district has become the latest victim of a digital arrest scam. According to reports, the ex-MLA lost as much as Rs 31 lakh between August 12 and 19 after fraudsters posing as officials from CBI and Enforcement Directorate (ED) trapped him in an online investigation.
SurveyThe ordeal started on August 12, when the victim received a call around 6 pm from someone claiming to be a CBI officer. The caller alleged that he had been found involved in a money laundering case linked to Jet Airways founder Naresh Goyal. Although the victim initially suspected a scam, they were slowly tricked into believing that the call was genuine.
The scammers escalated the drama by transferring the call to another impersonator, who introduced himself as Neeraj Kumar, a deputy commissioner of police. The latter told the victim that, considering his age and social status, he would be placed under “digital arrest” instead of physical detention.
Over the next few days, the victim was kept under constant surveillance through WhatsApp video calls. The fraudsters even staged a fake courtroom session, complete with a judge, ID cards, fabricated arrest warrants, and even a police station backdrop to make it look real.
Under the psychological pressure, the ex-MLA was instructed to transfer money in two instalments – Rs 10.99 lakh first, followed by Rs 20 lakh as refundable deposits required for the investigation. Trusting the process, the victim complied with the instructions.
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It was only after the second transfer that the victim confided in his family and realised that he had been scammed. A police complaint was filed on September 6, under the Information Technology Act and IPC sections related to cheating and impersonation.
Authorities are now probing the source of the calls and tracking the bank accounts linked to the fraud.
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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
