Bhubaneswar Police Nab Tirupati Man in Elaborate Digital Arrest Scam Targeting Elderly Woman
In a significant breakthrough, the Bhubaneswar city police have apprehended a 39-year-old man from Tirupati in Andhra Pradesh for orchestrating a sophisticated digital arrest scam that victimized an elderly woman. The accused, identified as Gulipagi Chiranjeevi, was arrested on Tuesday for allegedly subjecting the 70-year-old woman to a terrifying digital confinement for over ten days in November last year and coercing her into paying a staggering Rs 30 lakh.
Impersonation of Multiple Authorities to Instill Fear
According to police investigations, Chiranjeevi and his associates employed a multi-layered deception strategy by impersonating officials from three different government agencies:
- Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) officials
- Mumbai Police officers from Colaba police station
- Enforcement Directorate (ED) personnel
This coordinated impersonation was designed to create an atmosphere of overwhelming fear and compliance in the victim, making her believe she was facing serious legal consequences.
Chronology of the Elaborate Fraud
The criminal operation unfolded systematically beginning on November 6, 2025, when the elderly woman, who lives with her 77-year-old husband, received an initial call around 2:20 PM. The caller claimed to be from TRAI and falsely alleged that her SIM card was linked to illegal activities.
Before she could process this information, another individual joined the call, introducing himself as an officer from Colaba police station in Mumbai. This second fraudster sent fabricated documents to her instant messaging account, reinforcing the false narrative of her involvement in unlawful activities.
The psychological pressure escalated when the woman received a video call from yet another fraudster posing as an ED officer. This individual delivered the chilling declaration that she was under digital arrest and instructed her not to leave her home. Exploiting her mounting fear, he claimed that an arrest warrant had been issued against her for money laundering.
Financial Extortion Through False Audit Claims
"The caller insisted that her bank accounts required auditing as part of the investigation and demanded a security deposit of Rs 30 lakh, assuring her that the amount would be refunded after the audit," explained a police officer involved in the case.
Terrified by these threats, the elderly couple reportedly made multiple transfers totaling Rs 30 lakh:
- Rs 10 lakh on November 7
- Rs 3.5 lakh on November 10
- Rs 9.5 lakh on November 14
- Rs 7 lakh on November 15
"They were put under digital arrest from November 6 to 15. The money was transferred to the accounts of Chiranjeevi and two others," the officer confirmed, highlighting the prolonged nature of the psychological manipulation.
Police Investigation and Public Warning
After the scam left the couple both emotionally shaken and financially drained, they finally gathered the courage to lodge a formal complaint with the cyber police station in Bhubaneswar on November 18.
Police authorities have revealed that efforts are actively underway to identify and apprehend other members of the criminal racket who played roles in executing this elaborate fraud. Officers have issued a strong public advisory, urging citizens to remain vigilant against such impersonation scams.
"No government agency conducts investigations in this manner or demands money transfers under the guise of audits," emphasized police officials, stressing that legitimate authorities never operate through such threatening communication methods.
This case highlights the growing sophistication of cyber criminals who exploit technological interfaces to manipulate vulnerable citizens, particularly the elderly, through psychological intimidation and false authority claims.
