Sophisticated Digital Arrest Scam Targets Retired Professional
In a shocking case of cybercrime that highlights the evolving tactics of digital fraudsters, a retired engineer from Kanpur fell victim to an elaborate digital arrest scam that cost him Rs 42.50 lakh. The incident, which unfolded over 19 days in August, involved fraudsters impersonating CBI officials and even staging a fake Supreme Court hearing to convince their victim of their legitimacy.
The Elaborate Deception Unfolds
The nightmare began on August 7 when Rajendra Prasad Singh, a retired Power Grid engineer living with his wife Pushpa in Juhi Kalan, Barra, received a WhatsApp call from an unknown number. The caller identified himself as an IPS officer posted with the CBI and dropped a bombshell allegation that a fake bank account had been opened in Mumbai using Singh's Aadhaar card, linking him to the Naresh Goyal money laundering case.
What followed was a meticulously planned psychological operation where the fraudsters placed Singh under what they called digital arrest, keeping him on continuous video calls and forbidding him from speaking to anyone else. They created convincing setups resembling CBI offices and even staged an online Supreme Court hearing to reinforce their authority.
The Financial Drain and Fake Court Proceedings
Between August 11 and August 21, the fraudsters systematically drained Singh's life savings by convincing him to transfer money to specified accounts for what they claimed was an RBI investigation. They promised the money would be returned within 72 hours if everything checked out. The victim transferred the substantial amount of Rs 42.50 lakh in five separate instalments through RTGS to savings and current accounts in Mumbai.
The deception reached its peak on August 18 when the scammers staged an elaborate online Supreme Court hearing. During this fake proceeding, a person acting as a judge informed Singh that his money had been cleared and that a report for the remaining amount needed to be submitted within three days. The fraudsters even had the audacity to call again on August 26, demanding an additional Rs 1 lakh as legal fees.
Rescue and Police Action
The ordeal finally ended when Singh's son, who works in Noida, returned home and immediately disconnected the call. Recognizing the scam, he helped his father approach the cyber police to file a formal complaint. Subsequently, on November 26, a report was officially filed at the Barra police station.
DCP South Deependra Nath Chaudhary provided insight into the criminals' methodology, stating, "In this case the fraudsters trapped the victim in conversation, frightened him and took advantage of that fear to commit fraud." An FIR has been registered, and investigative efforts are underway to apprehend the accused. Unfortunately, the money transferred to the accounts was withdrawn shortly after the transactions were completed.
This case serves as a stark reminder of the sophisticated tactics employed by cybercriminals and the importance of verifying such claims through official channels before taking any action involving financial transactions or personal information.
