A 39-year-old software engineer in Bengaluru became the victim of a sophisticated “digital arrest” scam and lost a staggering ₹11.8 crore after falling prey to fraudsters who posed as police officials. The fraud, which took place between November 25 and December 12, involved a series of fraudulent calls and threats, tricking the victim into transferring large sums of money under the guise of an investigation.
The ordeal began on November 11 when the victim received a call from someone claiming to be an officer from the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI). The caller alleged that the victim’s SIM card, linked to his Aadhaar details, was being used for illegal advertisements and harassing messages. The fraudster also informed the victim that a case had been filed in Mumbai’s Colaba Cyber Police Station in connection with these allegations.
Things took a more sinister turn when the victim received another call from an individual posing as a police officer, claiming that his Aadhaar details were being misused to open bank accounts for money laundering. The caller warned the victim that if he did not cooperate with a virtual investigation, he would face immediate physical arrest.
In an effort to make the scam appear legitimate, the fraudsters asked the victim to download the Skype app. A man, allegedly dressed in Mumbai police uniform, appeared on a video call, further manipulating the victim by claiming that a businessman had opened a bank account using his Aadhaar for transactions amounting to ₹6 crore.
On November 25, another call came from someone again impersonating a police officer in uniform, threatening that the case was being heard in the top court and warning that the victim’s family would be arrested if he did not comply. The scammers, citing fake Reserve Bank of India (RBI) guidelines, urged the victim to transfer funds to various bank accounts for “verification purposes” or face legal action.
Fearful of being arrested, the victim complied with the demands, eventually transferring ₹11.8 crore over multiple transactions to different accounts. It was only when the fraudsters demanded more money that the victim realized he had been scammed. Shocked and distressed, he lodged a complaint with the police.
A case has been registered under the Information Technology (IT) Act and relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) for cheating and impersonation. Authorities have launched an investigation to track down the culprits involved in this elaborate scam.
The incident highlights the growing threat of digital fraud and the need for greater awareness and caution when dealing with unsolicited calls and virtual threats. Authorities are urging the public to be wary of such scams and report any suspicious activities promptly.
Sources By Agencies
