An 81-year-old retired businessman from Hyderabad has fallen victim to a massive cyber fraud, losing a staggering sum exceeding Rs 7.12 crore to criminals employing a sophisticated 'digital arrest' tactic. The shocking case came to light after the senior citizen, inspired by reading about similar scams in the media, approached the authorities.
The Elaborate Web of Deception
The victim's harrowing ordeal began on October 27, 2023, when he received a WhatsApp call from an individual identifying himself as Sunil Sharma from Blue Dart customer care. Sharma informed the elderly man that a parcel sent in his name from Mumbai to Bangkok contained suspicious items: a laptop, five passports, and 200 grams of MDMA, a narcotic substance.
Within minutes, the plot thickened. Another caller, pretending to be an officer from the Mumbai crime branch, contacted him. This impersonator stated that based on the alleged evidence, the retiree was now facing serious charges including extortion, drug trafficking, money laundering, and terrorism.
Enforced 'Digital Arrest' and Financial Drain
The fraudsters then placed the man under what they termed a 'digital arrest'. They issued strict warnings, forbidding him from discussing the so-called case with his family, his bankers, or any legal counsel. Under sustained psychological pressure and intimidation, the victim was coerced into providing a complete disclosure of his financial investments.
Following their instructions, he made his first transaction on October 29, transferring Rs 19.8 lakh to an account held with City Union Bank. The criminals further instructed him to install the encrypted messaging app Signal to continue communications. From November 6 to December 5, the victim executed five more RTGS transfers to various other bank accounts, culminating in a catastrophic total loss.
Suspicions Arise and Complaint Filed
The scam reached a point where the fraudsters, in a bold final move, demanded an additional Rs 1.2 crore on December 29 to officially close the fabricated case against him. It was this excessive demand that finally triggered the victim's suspicions. After realizing he might be trapped in an elaborate scam, he gathered the courage to formally lodge a complaint with the Telangana Cyber Security Bureau (TGCSB) on January 2, 2024.
This case highlights the alarming rise of digital arrest scams across India, where criminals exploit fear and impersonate law enforcement to extort massive sums. It serves as a critical reminder for citizens, especially seniors, to verify any unexpected legal claims directly with local police stations and to never share financial details or make payments under coercion.
