Lost over Rs 1 cr! Noida family becomes latest victim of digital scam, here’s what happened

Cyber fraud is becoming increasingly sophisticated, and it’s important for everyone to stay cautious. In a shocking incident, a family in Noida fell victim to the famous ‘digital arrest’ scam. Over the course of five days, they were forced into paying more than Rs 1 crore after being threatened with fake arrests by scammers posing as law enforcement officials.

The scam began on February 1 when Chandrabhan Paliwal, a resident of Noida, received a call from an unknown number. The caller asked him to contact the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) and warned him that his SIM card would be blocked.

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Shortly after, another call came from a person who identified himself as an Indian Police Service (IPS) officer from Mumbai’s Kolava Police Station, reports PTI.The so-called officer accused Paliwal of being involved in a money laundering scheme and told him that 24 cases had been registered against him in various locations.

The situation escalated when Paliwal’s wife and daughter also received threatening video calls, with the scammers demanding money to avoid arrest.

Frightened and under immense pressure, the family ended up transferring Rs 1.10 crore to the fraudsters over the next five days. 

Also read: Woman loses Rs 1.16 lakh after fake crime branch call: Here’s how the scam unfolded

How to avoid falling for such scams

• Verify the caller’s identity: Always confirm any claims by contacting the official organisation directly.
• Do not share personal or financial information: Never disclose bank details, passwords, or other sensitive information over the phone.
• Stay calm: If you receive a threatening call, take a moment to verify the information instead of acting under pressure.
• Report suspicious calls: Contact the police or cybercrime authorities immediately if you suspect a scam.

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