Ahmedabad Senior Citizen Defrauded of Rs 1.4 Crore in Elaborate 'Digital Arrest' Scheme
A 75-year-old retired resident of Sarkhej in Ahmedabad has fallen victim to a sophisticated cybercrime, losing a staggering Rs 1.4 crore to fraudsters who impersonated telecom and cybercrime officials. The scammers subjected the elderly man to what they termed a "digital arrest," keeping him under constant threat for several days with fabricated criminal allegations.
The Initial Contact and False Allegations
According to a detailed complaint filed with the Cybercrime police on Friday, the ordeal began on April 2 when the complainant received a call from an individual claiming to be a senior adviser with the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI). The caller asserted that a mobile number registered in the man's name in Mumbai was being used to send obscene videos to women and make harassing calls.
The fraudster warned the senior citizen that he would be treated as a criminal unless the issue was resolved immediately. Additionally, the caller alleged that a bank account was operating in his name in Mumbai, further escalating the threats.
Escalation to Fake Cybercrime Officials
The complainant denied ownership of the mobile number and requested it be blocked. He was then coerced into submitting a declaration stating he had no connection with the Mumbai bank account, which the caller falsely linked to a money-laundering case.
Soon after, another individual posing as a Mumbai cybercrime investigation officer contacted him via a WhatsApp video call. This caller did not reveal his face, instead displaying a police logo while making serious allegations. He claimed the complainant's Aadhaar card had been used to register the Mumbai number and that his ATM card was involved in money laundering activities.
Psychological Pressure and Forged Documents
The fraudsters intensified their psychological manipulation by sending forged documents, including fake FIR papers, a fabricated arrest order, and counterfeit court communications. They repeatedly threatened the elderly man, stating that all his bank accounts would be frozen and that he faced imminent imprisonment if he did not comply with their demands.
The complainant and his wife were forced to remain available on video calls for extended periods, during which they were pressured to reveal detailed information about their investments and bank balances. This constant surveillance created an atmosphere of fear and compliance.
The Financial Transfer Under False Pretenses
After the couple liquidated their shareholdings under duress, the accused instructed them to transfer the funds to what they described as a "public fund bank account" for verification purposes. The fraudsters assured the victims that the amount would be returned within 48 to 72 hours after the Supreme Court completed its scrutiny of the case.
Believing these false assurances, the complainant transferred Rs 1.43 crore through RTGS to a private bank account provided by the scammers. The transaction marked the culmination of days of psychological pressure and deception.
Discovery and Police Complaint
When all communication abruptly ceased after the transfer, the family grew suspicious and approached their bank for clarification. Realizing they had been defrauded, they subsequently contacted the cybercrime helpline to report the incident.
The Ahmedabad Cybercrime police have registered a case based on the complaint and are investigating the sophisticated scam that exploited the fears of an elderly citizen through impersonation and digital intimidation tactics.
