Dehradun Senior Citizen Defrauded of Rs 3 Crore in Elaborate Digital Arrest Scam
In a shocking case of cyber fraud, a 70-year-old woman from Dehradun was allegedly placed under digital arrest for 60 days and duped of Rs 3 crore by criminals impersonating Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) officers. The elaborate scam, which unfolded between September 1 and October 30 last year, came to light when the victim filed a formal complaint at the state cyber-crime unit on Friday.
How the Sophisticated Scam Unfolded
According to police investigators, the fraud began on September 1 when a man contacted the senior citizen via WhatsApp, claiming to be a CBI officer. He informed her that her phone number had been discovered in connection with a massive money laundering case estimated at approximately Rs 68 crore.
The perpetrators then escalated their scheme by sending fabricated documents purportedly from both the CBI and the Reserve Bank of India (RBI). These fake documents specifically mentioned the woman's name in the alleged case, causing her significant distress and anxiety.
The Digital Arrest and Financial Drain
"The accused told her that she would be put under digital arrest until the investigation of all her investments and bank accounts was complete," explained a police officer involved in the case. Fearing legal consequences, the woman complied with their demands, sharing confidential banking and financial details.
Over the following weeks, the victim transferred a staggering total of Rs 3 crore to bank accounts specified by the fraudsters. The transactions continued until the criminals abruptly ceased all communication after receiving the final payment, leaving the woman to realize she had fallen victim to an elaborate cyber fraud scheme.
Police Response and Public Warning
Following the complaint, authorities registered a First Information Report (FIR) under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and the Information Technology Act. SSP of STF and state cyber cell, Ajai Singh, confirmed the investigation is actively pursuing the perpetrators.
"We have registered a case of cheating and impersonating others and initiated a probe to nab the accused at the earliest," Singh stated. He emphasized the importance of public vigilance, adding, "We also want to appeal to people to not fall prey to any such calls and immediately inform the nearest police station or contact the cyber-crime helpline number 1930."
This case highlights the growing sophistication of cyber crimes targeting vulnerable individuals, particularly senior citizens who may be less familiar with digital security protocols. Police are urging all citizens to verify the credentials of anyone claiming to be law enforcement officials and to never share sensitive financial information under pressure.
