Retired Officer Dies of Shock After Falling Victim to ₹1.2 Crore ‘Digital Arrest’ Scam
Digital Arrest Is A Scam: CM Devendra Fadnavis Warns Citizens, Urges Immediate Reporting Of Online Fraud
In a deeply distressing case from Pune, an 82-year-old retired state government officer lost his life after being duped of nearly ₹1.19 crore in a horrifying “digital arrest” scam. The tragic incident unfolded between August 16 and September 17, when fraudsters, posing as Mumbai Cyber Police and CBI officials, manipulated the elderly couple into believing they were under investigation for money laundering.
The couple, both in their eighties and parents to three daughters living abroad, were subjected to immense psychological torment. The conmen convinced them that their bank and Aadhaar details were linked to a criminal case involving a private airline. To intensify the fear, the fraudsters instructed the couple to remain under constant video surveillance, calling it a “digital arrest,” and coerced them into transferring their life savings into multiple bank accounts.
Senior Inspector Swapnali Shinde from Pune Cyber Police stated that the scammers contacted the victim pretending to be high-ranking officers. One introduced himself as an “encounter specialist” from Mumbai Police, while another posed as a senior CBI official from Delhi. Over three days, the frightened couple complied with every instruction, believing they would otherwise face arrest. By the time the ordeal ended, the fraudsters had siphoned off the couple’s entire savings, including money sent by their daughters from abroad.
When the calls abruptly stopped, the couple realised they had been deceived. Distraught, they reached out to one of their daughters, who immediately urged them to file a police complaint. However, the emotional toll proved too heavy. On October 22, the elderly man suddenly collapsed at home and was rushed to a hospital, where doctors declared him dead. Police confirmed that he had been under severe mental strain due to the financial and emotional trauma caused by the scam.
Following verification of her complaint, the victim’s wife officially approached the police, explaining how the fraudsters harassed and terrorised them for days. Investigators have since traced multiple bank transactions linked to the scam and are working to identify those responsible.
Cybercrime experts have once again warned citizens to stay alert against such tactics. They emphasised that no law enforcement agency can “arrest” anyone through a phone call or demand money or personal information. Victims are advised to verify any such claims directly with local authorities before taking any action. Experts further noted that many fraudsters operate from smaller towns using fake SIM cards and VPN networks to hide their identity, making it difficult to track them.
