A 62-year-old resident of Vadodara has fallen victim to one of the largest cyber frauds using the 'digital arrest' modus operandi in Gujarat, losing Rs 1.48 crore after being duped into constant online surveillance by criminals posing as law enforcement officials.
How the Scam Unfolded
Atul Kashikhar, a resident of Vasna Road, filed a complaint at the Cyber Crime police station after the gang allegedly defrauded him over several weeks. The fraud began in March with a call from a man identifying himself as 'Manav Sharma from the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India' (TRAI).
Sharma informed Kashikhar that a mobile number had been illegally issued using his Aadhaar details and was being used for unlawful advertisements. He then directed Kashikhar to speak with a purported crime branch officer in Mumbai for 'police clearance.'
Escalation and Threats
Kashikhar received a video call from a man claiming to be a CBI officer, who alleged that his Aadhaar had been used to open a bank account linked to money laundering worth Rs 538 crore. The caller threatened that legal action could result in a seven-year jail term. The accused kept Kashikhar under constant pressure through repeated video calls, posing as an IPS officer, other police officials, a judge, and a lawyer. They also sent forged CBI and court notices to intimidate him.
Digital Arrest and Financial Loss
Kashikhar stated he was 'kept under digital arrest' from March 10 to March 27, with the gang contacting him every two hours. They instructed him to keep his house shut and not tell anyone about the calls. Under the pretext of verification, they obtained details of his bank accounts, fixed deposits, and insurance policies. During this period, Kashikhar transferred Rs 1.59 crore to bank accounts specified by the accused.
Discovery and Recovery
As the gang demanded more money, Kashikhar attempted to liquidate his fixed deposits. The bank alerted his daughter, who contacted him and informed him he was being cheated. Kashikhar then approached the police. Cyber Crime officials managed to recover Rs 11 lakh of the transferred funds.
