Scammers posed as Nashik police and NIA officials, accusing victims of money laundering.
Elderly couple kept on a continuous 3-day video call and coerced to transfer Rs 50.5 lakh.
Police arrested two suspects linked to multiple digital arrest scams across India.
In yet another case of digital arrest scam, a retired banker and his wife in Mumbai were tricked by criminals who impersonated law enforcement officers to extort money. Over a harrowing three-day ordeal, the fraudsters, posing as officials from the Nashik police and the National Investigation Agency (NIA), manipulated the elderly couple to stay on a continuous video call and transfer Rs 50.5 lakh under false pretences.
SurveyThe incident, first reported by India Today, took place between September 11 and 24, and the couple began receiving repeated WhatsApp calls from a number claiming to be from the Nashik police. The caller, posing as an IPS officer with the NIA, accused the husband of involvement in a money-laundering probe. To lend credibility, the scammers even presented a fabricated FIR.
The couple was then ordered to stay on a video call for three days without disconnecting to isolate and control them psychologically. During this time, the scammers extracted sensitive banking details and forced the victims to transfer Rs 50.5 lakh to multiple accounts. The call ended abruptly once the transaction was complete.
Following the complaint filed by the complainant, the North Region Cyber Police traced Rs 29.5 lakh to a “mule account” allegedly operated by 35-year-old Ravi Ananda Ambore from Ulhasnagar, Thane. Ambore, arrested on October 25, confessed to renting out his bank account for commissions.
Further investigation led to the arrest of 37-year-old Vishwapal Chandrakant Jadhav, linked to at least seven similar digital arrest scams across India. Police say these “first-layer” account holders help launder money through multiple accounts, making recovery extremely challenging.
Also read: Samsung Galaxy S24 FE price drops by over Rs 26,000 on Flipkart: How to get this deal
How to stay safe from digital arrest scams
- Never share personal or banking details with unknown callers or WhatsApp numbers.
- Verify claims of law enforcement by calling official police helplines directly.
- Stay calm under pressure; real officers will never threaten or demand immediate money transfers.
- Report suspicious calls via 1930 or cybercrime.gov.in
- Educate elderly family members about these scams to help prevent future incidents.
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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
