Homemaker Loses ₹5 Lakh to ‘Digital Arrest’ Cyber Fraud
Homemaker Loses ₹5 Lakh to ‘Digital Arrest’ Cyber Fraud
A Bengaluru homemaker was duped into transferring ₹5 lakh after callers impersonated police in a ‘digital arrest’ scam, as authorities broaden the crackdown on cyberfraud.
A 58-year-old homemaker from Thanisandra, Bengaluru, became the latest victim of a 'digital arrest' scam, police said. She received a voice call on April 14 from a number claiming to be a Mumbai Police officer and was told her documents were linked to a fraud case. The caller warned she would be arrested if she did not cooperate. Under pressure, she transferred ₹5 lakh from her bank account. She filed a complaint with the East Division Cyber Crime Police on April 16.
Investigators say the scheme hinges on impersonating police and pressing victims to act fast under threats of arrest, with money routed to a bank account opened fraudulently in the name of a company to receive proceeds of cyber fraud, as per authorities tracking the case.
Separately, the Central Bureau of Investigation has arrested a former bank official and two others in a related 'digital arrest' case, a move that underscores the reach of these scams. In another related operation, six people were arrested in a cybercrime crackdown, and about ₹32 lakh was refunded to victims.
Victims are urged to stay vigilant: never share documents or bank details over a call, verify the caller’s identity through official police channels, and call the official numbers listed on police or government websites. If in doubt, hang up and report to the local cybercrime police.
