Ahmedabad Senior Loses Rs 55.5 Lakh in Elaborate 'Digital Arrest' Cyber Scam
In a distressing incident highlighting the growing threat of cybercrime, an 80-year-old retired woman from Vastrapur, Ahmedabad, was allegedly duped of Rs 55.50 lakh by sophisticated cybercrooks. The fraudsters subjected her to a terrifying "digital arrest," using threats of a fabricated fraud case to coerce large financial transfers over a harrowing five-week period.
Ordeal Begins with Deceptive Police Call
According to a complaint filed with the cybercrime police on February 25, 2026, the woman's nightmare commenced on January 1, 2026. She received a phone call from a man identifying himself as "Ranveer Singh" from the Colaba police station in Mumbai. The caller falsely claimed that her Aadhaar card had been discovered at the residence of Naresh Goyal, a key accused in a fraud case, and ominously informed her that an arrest warrant had been issued in her name.
Elaborate Video Calls and Fake Courtroom Setup
The next day, the scammers escalated their tactics. The victim received a WhatsApp video call where she was shown a photograph of Naresh Goyal and asked if she recognized him. After she denied any knowledge, another video call followed, this time purportedly displaying a courtroom setup complete with a "judge" and police officers. The bogus judge allegedly instructed her that she must deposit Rs 15 lakh to prove her innocence and avoid arrest.
Fear Leads to Initial and Subsequent Transfers
Fearing imminent arrest, the terrified woman transferred Rs 15 lakh to the accused's account on January 5. Over the subsequent month, the fraudsters continued to pressure her into sending more money under various pretexts. These included demands for "verification" of currency notes and additional "investigation" costs. To meet these demands, she raised Rs 14.5 lakh by pledging her gold jewellery with a gold loan provider and transferred the amount to an account with a private bank. Further transfers were made from different bank accounts between January 15 and February 6, culminating in a total loss of Rs 55.50 lakh.
Isolation and Surveillance Threats
The cybercriminals allegedly instructed the victim not to leave her house or inform any family members, warning her that she was under constant surveillance. In a particularly audacious move, they even suggested she sell her flat to settle the "case," further exploiting her vulnerability and fear.
Scam Unravels and Police Action
The scam finally came to light when the woman confided in her daughter. Following this revelation, she contacted the national cybercrime helpline on February 20. The cybercrime police have since registered a case under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and the Information Technology Act, including charges of:
- Forgery
- Producing forged documents as genuine
- Cheating
- Impersonation as government officers
Authorities have initiated a thorough investigation, analyzing call records, bank transactions, and WhatsApp chats submitted as evidence to track down the perpetrators.
This case underscores the critical need for public awareness, especially among senior citizens, regarding such sophisticated cyber frauds. It serves as a stark reminder to verify any suspicious claims independently and report them to authorities immediately.
