A Gujrat medical professional suffered a significant financial loss of approximately nineteen crores in a digital arrest fraud scheme. Here's an account of the events.
India Witnesses a Spike in Large-Scale Digital Arrest Frauds
Digital arrest fraud in India has become a significant concern, with victims losing crores of rupees in scams that are increasingly common. The largest known cases involve losses ranging from tens of lakhs to over Rs 20 crore.
A notable case from Mumbai saw an 86-year-old woman losing over Rs 20 crore after being "digitally arrested" by fraudsters impersonating CBI officers. In another high-profile incident, a retired Colonel couple in Chandigarh lost Rs 3.41 crore through a virtual arrest, with scammers impersonating Enforcement Directorate officials and fabricating legal documents.
The modus operandi of these scams typically involves scammers creating fear of legal arrest by impersonating officials from CBI, ED, police, or judiciary via WhatsApp/video calls. They use forged documents and fake court setups to threaten victims, keep them on video calls for hours or days, and coerce transfers of large sums to "safe" or mule bank accounts controlled by fraudsters.
Most victims are elderly people, with many women targeted due to fear of stigma or reputational harm. Police across India have registered hundreds of FIRs and arrested dozens of accused, but the crime remains a challenge.
Investigation details show that multiple states' cybercrime units, including those in Chandigarh, Himachal Pradesh, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, and Mumbai, have cracked down on these fraud rings. Arrests have been made of individuals involved in creating fake mule bank accounts, impersonating government agencies, and using sophisticated psychological tactics.
Authorities have issued public advisories urging vigilance against suspicious digital or legal threats, especially among vulnerable elderly populations, in ongoing efforts to curb this growing cyber threat. The search for the masterminds of the scam is ongoing, with a large chunk of the stolen money remaining unrecovered and dispersed across multiple accounts.
A doctor based in Gujarat's Gandhinagar lost Rs 19 crore over a span of three months due to a 'digital arrest' scam. The scam started on March 15 with a phone call claiming objectionable content was detected on the doctor's mobile phone. Over time, the doctor was manipulated into transferring 19 crore into 35 different bank accounts.
Officials are relying on digital evidence to map out the full extent of the scam, with one suspect in Surat having been arrested in connection with the case. The arrested suspect's bank account received Rs 1 crore of the stolen funds, and the suspect is currently under interrogation to identify other members of the network.
In summary, digital arrest frauds in India are large-scale and rapidly increasing cybercrimes involving fake legal arrests via digital means, coercing victims into transferring crores of rupees. Police investigations have resulted in multiple arrests and partial money recoveries, but the crime remains a significant challenge.
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