Retired Doctor Loses Life Savings of Rs 1.58 Crore in Elaborate WhatsApp Digital Arrest Scam
In a chilling case of cyber fraud, a 62-year-old retired doctor from Gorakhpur fell victim to a sophisticated digital arrest scam that lasted eight days, resulting in the loss of her entire life savings amounting to Rs 1.58 crore. The incident, which began with a seemingly routine WhatsApp video call, has sent shockwaves through the community and highlighted the growing threat of online financial crimes.
The Psychological Siege Begins
Dr. Manjula Srivastava, a resident of Gorakhpur's Cantonment area, received a WhatsApp video call on February 13 from an unknown individual claiming to represent multiple top enforcement agencies including the ATS, NIA, and Enforcement Directorate. The caller made serious allegations against her, accusing her of involvement in a money laundering case and stating that a bank account in her name had been used for suspicious transactions worth Rs 50 lakh.
The fraudsters employed classic intimidation tactics, threatening Dr. Srivastava with immediate arrest and imprisonment, warning that she could face up to a year in jail if she didn't comply with their demands. Living alone and unfamiliar with digital systems, the retired doctor found herself isolated and vulnerable to their psychological manipulation.
Systematic Financial Drainage
Under intense pressure and constant surveillance through continuous phone calls, Dr. Srivastava was instructed not to inform anyone about the situation, including her own children. The fraudsters maintained a constant presence in her life, effectively creating a digital prison where she felt she had no escape.
The psychological pressure proved overwhelming, leading her to comply with their demands to open all her fixed deposits and transfer her life savings under the pretext of "legal verification" and "fund regularisation." Between February 18 and 21, multiple RTGS transactions were executed from her bank accounts into different accounts provided by the criminals.
Financial Breakdown of the Fraud
- February 18: Rs 30 lakh transferred
- February 20: Rs 80 lakh transferred
- February 21: Rs 47.99 lakh transferred
The total amount siphoned off reached Rs 1,57,99,952.80, representing her entire life savings accumulated over decades of medical practice and careful financial planning.
Sophisticated Deception Tactics
To maintain credibility throughout the eight-day ordeal, the fraudsters sent fake receipts bearing names of enforcement agencies and repeatedly assured Dr. Srivastava that her money would be returned after due verification processes were completed. They even claimed to be operating from Pune and mentioned that "247 similar cases" were under process, further winning her trust through apparent legitimacy.
In her complaint to police, Dr. Srivastava has raised suspicion of possible insider involvement, noting that the accused appeared to have precise knowledge of her bank accounts and financial details, suggesting either sophisticated hacking capabilities or information leaks from financial institutions.
Police Response and Legal Action
Gorakhpur SP Abhinav Tyagi confirmed that an FIR has been registered under charges of BNS 318 (4) for cheating and relevant sections of the IT Act against unidentified persons. The police are investigating the sophisticated cyber fraud operation that targeted the vulnerable senior citizen.
Authorities have issued urgent warnings to citizens, urging them to remain vigilant against such scams, avoid sharing financial details with unknown callers, and immediately report suspicious calls to cyber helplines. This case serves as a stark reminder of how digital platforms can be weaponized against vulnerable individuals, particularly senior citizens who may be less familiar with online security protocols.
The incident underscores the need for greater public awareness about digital safety measures and the importance of verifying official communications through proper channels before taking any financial actions under pressure.
