Pune: Fashion Designer From Aundh Loses Rs 34 Lakh In ‘Digital Arrest’ Scam
Pune: Fashion Designer From Aundh Loses Rs 34 Lakh In 'Digital Arrest' Scam
A fashion boutique owner from Aundh, Pune, recently fell victim to a sophisticated scam, losing a whopping Rs 34 lakh. The scam, which has been dubbed “digital arrest,” involved cybercrooks impersonating officials from the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) and the Mumbai crime branch.
According to the police, the scam began on September 11, when the boutique owner received a call from a person claiming that two cellphone numbers registered in her name were being used for money laundering and human trafficking. The caller further claimed that a case had been registered in this regard and connected the call to an officer from the Mumbai crime branch.
The officer, who posed as an IPS officer, told the victim to connect with him through a video call and informed her that she was under “digital arrest” for verification and investigation purposes. The scammer then sought the woman’s financial and personal details, claiming that some employees from her bank were also involved in the case.
Within two days, the woman transferred Rs 34 lakh to different bank accounts, only to realize later that she had been duped. The suspects stopped calling her, and she approached the police, filing a complaint application.
A case has been registered with the Chatushrungi police, and an investigation is underway. This incident highlights the growing concern of “digital arrest” scams, where victims are coerced into transferring money under the threat of arrest or legal action.
