In a shocking case that highlights evolving cybercrime tactics, a 73-year-old retiree from Gandhinagar's Pansar village endured what authorities term a digital arrest for over a month and a half, losing nearly Rs 49 lakh to sophisticated fraudsters. The victim, who operates a small library, was subjected to relentless psychological pressure and virtual surveillance in a scam that authorities say represents a new intimidation method being deployed by cybercriminals.
The Digital Arrest Ordeal
According to the First Information Report filed at Gandhinagar cybercrime police station, the nightmare began on October 10, 2025, when the septuagenarian received a call from a man identifying himself as Abhimanyu from the telecom department. The caller claimed a criminal case had been registered against the retiree and threatened to block his SIM card and bank accounts unless he cooperated with authorities.
Minutes later, another individual contacted him via WhatsApp, introducing himself as Niraj Thakur from Delhi Police. This caller made alarming allegations that the victim's Aadhaar card had been misused in an ICICI Bank fraud involving Rs 66 crore, with Rs 6 crore supposedly deposited into the retiree's account.
Hourly Surveillance and Sleep Deprivation
The cybercriminals informed the 73-year-old that he was being placed under digital arrest to prove his innocence and issued disturbing instructions that would continue for 45 days. He was ordered to send a WhatsApp message every hour stating I am safe and was explicitly warned against sleeping or moving freely without informing the so-called officers.
This systematic sleep deprivation tactic is particularly concerning as the United Nations recognizes sleep deprivation as a form of torture. From October 10 to November 24, the victim faced a near-constant barrage of video calls and messages, creating an environment of continuous psychological pressure.
Financial Exploitation Tactics
Under this sustained intimidation, the retiree was forced to disclose comprehensive details of his financial assets, including:
- All bank account information
- Fixed deposit details
- Systematic Investment Plan (SIP) portfolios
- Share market investments
The fraudsters cleverly maintained their credibility by claiming the victim's funds would be temporarily deposited with the Reserve Bank of India for verification and later returned with interest. Fearing actual arrest and under tremendous psychological pressure, the senior citizen liquidated his investments and transferred Rs 49 lakh in two transactions to accounts provided by the criminals.
Sophisticated Forgery and False Promises
To reinforce their deception, the accused sent the victim forged payment receipts on fake RBI letterheads bearing his name and Aadhaar number. This sophisticated documentation helped maintain the illusion of legitimacy throughout the extended scam period.
On November 24, one of the cybercriminals informed the victim that the case had been closed and promised that his money would be returned within seven days. When neither the funds nor any further communication materialized, the retiree finally realized he had been systematically cheated.
Police Action and Broader Implications
The victim filed an FIR at Gandhinagar cybercrime police station on January 31, bringing the elaborate scam to official attention. This case emerges as Gujarat police and central agencies intensify their actions against mule account holders, with cybercriminals now employing this digital arrest tactic as a new form of intimidation.
The fraudsters had accused the retiree of renting his bank accounts for massive financial crimes, using the mule account holder accusation as leverage to maintain constant virtual surveillance. This case serves as a stark warning about the sophisticated psychological manipulation techniques being deployed by cybercriminals targeting vulnerable populations, particularly senior citizens who may be less familiar with digital fraud tactics.
Authorities emphasize the importance of public awareness about such digital arrest schemes and recommend that citizens verify any unusual police or government communications through official channels before sharing personal or financial information.
