A 62-year-old retired private company employee from Nashik has fallen victim to a sophisticated digital arrest scam, losing Rs 1.6 crore to unidentified fraudsters. The city's cyber police have registered a case and initiated an investigation into the matter.
How the Scam Unfolded
Senior inspector Sanjay Pise of the cyber police station revealed that the fraud occurred between April 4 and April 21 this year. The scammers initially contacted the retired man, claiming that a bank account had been opened in his name using his Aadhaar and PAN details. They later alleged that this account was involved in terror funding and money laundering.
Under the pretext of settling the fabricated case, the accused coerced the elderly man into transferring approximately Rs 1.6 crore through multiple transactions over the period. The fraudsters maintained constant contact with the victim, isolating him and warning him not to inform his family members.
Discovery and Complaint
The fraud came to light only after the victim's family became aware of the situation. Subsequently, a complaint was lodged with the cyber police, leading to the registration of a case.
Pise noted that this is the third reported case of a digital arrest scam in Nashik city this year. He added that although awareness about such scams has increased, resulting in a drop in overall cases compared to 18-20 incidents reported last year, the threat remains significant.
Ongoing Awareness Campaigns
Both state and national agencies, along with local police, are actively conducting awareness campaigns to educate citizens about online frauds, including digital arrest schemes. The police urge the public to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities immediately.
