Panchkula Woman Loses Rs 2.98 Crore in Elaborate Digital Arrest Scam
Panchkula police have made a significant arrest in a sophisticated cyber fraud case. They apprehended a man from East Delhi for allegedly extorting a massive sum of Rs 2.98 crore from an elderly woman. The scam involved a terrifying tactic known as "digital arrest".
How the Scam Unfolded
The victim, a resident of Panchkula, received a phone call on December 4. The caller pretended to be an employee from a telecom company. He warned her that her phone services would be disconnected. This initial call set the stage for a complex deception.
The fraudster then transferred the call to his supposed senior officer. Subsequently, another person came on the line, posing as a CBI officer. This fake officer made serious accusations against the woman. He claimed she was involved in money laundering activities worth crores of rupees through her bank accounts.
Intimidation and Fake Courtroom Drama
To make their threats seem real, the criminals sent the victim photographs of an arrested person. They then subjected her to intense psychological pressure. The fraudsters threatened her with house arrest. They falsely claimed a police vehicle was stationed outside her home. They told her she could not leave without their permission.
The scammers extracted detailed information about all her bank accounts. They warned her not to inform anyone about the situation. They even threatened to harm her children if she did not comply. The intimidation escalated on December 5.
On that day, the accused produced the woman before a fake virtual courtroom. This setup included bogus police personnel and a person acting as a judge. Under the pretext of a legal investigation, they coerced her into transferring funds. The terrified woman transferred a total of Rs 2.98 crore to various bank accounts provided by the fraudsters.
The Complaint and Police Action
When the criminals demanded even more money, the woman grew suspicious. She immediately contacted the national cyber helpline at number 1930 to lodge a formal complaint. Based on her complaint, Panchkula police registered an FIR at the Cyber Crime police station on December 14.
The case was filed under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). DCP (Crime and Traffic) Manpreet Singh Sudan stated that the investigation revealed a multi-layered fraud. The scam utilized online money laundering tactics, fake summons and warrants, and impersonation of police and judicial authorities.
Arrest and Recovery
Under the supervision of Cyber SHO Yudhvir Singh, investigating officer Bhup Singh led the operation. They arrested the accused, identified as Nitin Singhal, a resident of East Delhi. The arrest took place during a raid on January 15.
Police recovered approximately Rs 17 lakh of the defrauded money from the accused's bank account. The court produced Nitin Singhal and remanded him to six days of police custody for further interrogation.
Ongoing Investigation and Public Warning
DCP Sudan confirmed that the names of other individuals involved in this crime have also surfaced. Police are conducting raids to apprehend these additional accused persons. He issued a strong appeal to the public to remain extremely vigilant.
Citizens should be cautious of:
- Unidentified or suspicious phone calls.
- Individuals posing as government or law enforcement officials.
- Threats related to so-called "digital arrests" or virtual legal actions.
This case highlights the evolving and frightening nature of cybercrime, where technology is used to create convincing illusions of authority and legal proceedings to exploit victims.
