In a shocking case of cybercrime that highlights the vulnerability of senior citizens living alone, a 77-year-old woman from Kolkata's Salt Lake area was held in a terrifying four-day "digital arrest" and swindled out of her entire life savings amounting to a staggering Rs 1.2 crore. The elaborate fraud was executed by criminals impersonating officials from the Narcotics Control Bureau in Mumbai.
The Ordeal of a Senior Citizen Living Alone
The victim, Purabi Sadhu, resides by herself in an HC Block flat. Her husband has passed away, and her only son lives in the United States. Her isolation made her a prime target for the sophisticated scam that began on November 14. According to the Bidhannagar Police, the fraudsters first contacted her, with one identifying himself as 'Inspector Vijay' from the Mumbai Police Narcotics Control Bureau.
She was falsely informed that she was an accused in a massive Rs 770 crore money laundering case and that her phone number had been misused by associates of the jailed gangster Lawrence Bishnoi. The caller issued a severe warning: speaking to anyone, including family members, would lead to her immediate arrest and custodial interrogation.
How the 'Digital Interrogation' Unfolded
For the next three days, from November 14 to 17, Sadhu was subjected to relentless psychological terror. She received continuous video calls from men claiming to be senior officers from various departments. These "digital interrogations" originated from at least four different phone numbers.
"They showed her forged documents, fabricated screenshots and what they claimed were confidential investigation files to convince her that a Mumbai bank account in her name had been used to funnel extortion money," a police officer explained. To make the threat seem real, they warned her of arrest under the stringent Anti-Money Laundering Act.
Completely intimidated, she obeyed every instruction. She cut off all contact with relatives and confined herself to her home. The fraudsters then orchestrated the transfer of all her money under the guise of a 'National Security Verification' process, promising that the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) would return the funds after verification.
The Financial Ruin and Eventual Realisation
Under this immense pressure, Purabi Sadhu emptied her savings from two bank accounts. She was also coerced into liquidating her investments in a mutual fund. It was only more than a week after the ordeal ended that she confided in a relative, who immediately understood she had been duped and urged her to go to the police.
An FIR was finally lodged on November 29. The trauma of the incident left Sadhu ill, and some relatives have now moved in to stay with her. A police officer somberly noted, "She lived alone and had her entire savings in two accounts. She has lost everything." An investigation into the sophisticated online fraud is currently underway.
This distressing incident serves as a critical warning about the rise of cyber crime targeting the elderly. It underscores the importance of community vigilance and educating senior citizens about such digital threats where scammers use fear and authority to manipulate victims.
