Pimpri-Chinchwad Man Almost Loses ₹12 Lakh In Fake ‘Digital Arrest’ Scam, Father And Police Save Him
Pimpri-Chinchwad Man Almost Loses ₹12 Lakh In Fake ‘Digital Arrest’ Scam, Father And Police Save Him
Cybercriminals nearly succeeded in duping a young man from Pimpri-Chinchwad of ₹12 lakh through an elaborate “digital arrest” scam, but timely awareness from his elderly father and swift police action prevented the fraud from going through.
The case emerged from the jurisdiction of Nigdi Police Station under the Pimpri-Chinchwad Police Commissionerate. On Sunday around 11 a.m., the victim received a WhatsApp call from an unknown individual who falsely claimed to be an officer from the Mumbai Police Crime Branch. The caller alleged that a parcel linked to the young man had been intercepted and that it contained five passports along with MD-type narcotics.
To intensify fear and create pressure, the caller insisted that the young man would need to appear before senior officials for interrogation. He was then instructed to install the Signal app, after which the scammers conducted repeated video calls. During these calls, individuals posing as police officers in uniform asserted that he was under “digital arrest” and strictly warned him not to inform anyone.
The fraud continued for nearly 27 hours, during which the cybercriminals extracted sensitive details such as the victim’s bank account information and Aadhaar credentials. They further demanded money, claiming that a “clearance certificate” would only be issued after payment. Under sustained psychological pressure, the young man even prepared to withdraw ₹12 lakh from his mutual fund savings.
The situation changed when he confided in his father. The elderly man immediately grew suspicious and contacted Police Constable Sopan Bodhwad at Nigdi Police Station. Acting without delay, the police team took charge of the situation. Officers Sopan Bodhwad, Mukund Ware, and woman constable Sneha Maske visited the victim’s residence and explained the nature of the scam to the family, helping them understand they were being targeted by cyber fraudsters.
Their timely intervention stopped the victim from transferring money, thereby preventing a significant financial loss.
Police officials noted that ongoing cyber awareness initiatives under Pimpri-Chinchwad Police Commissioner Vinaykumar Choubey played an important role in helping citizens identify such scams. These awareness campaigns, especially among senior citizens and housing societies, continue to strengthen public response against digital fraud.
Authorities reiterated that “digital arrest” is not a real or legally recognized procedure. No police authority arrests or interrogates individuals through video calls or messaging apps. Citizens are advised to remain cautious, avoid sharing personal or banking information with unknown callers, and immediately report such incidents to the cybercrime helpline 1930 or the nearest police station.
