Bengaluru: A 66-year-old retiree from west Bengaluru was duped of Rs 1.62 crore by cybercriminals who posed as law enforcement officers, keeping him under so-called “digital arrest” for 14 days. The bizarre scam involved intimidating the victim into constant online surveillance, a concept that does not exist under Indian law.
How the scam unfolded
According to the FIR, Ramesh G (name changed) received a call at 2:30 pm on September 27, claiming that his identification documents had been recovered during a raid at a luxury hotel in Mumbai. The caller, impersonating a police officer, alleged that a case had been registered against him at the Mumbai cybercrime department, even providing a fabricated FIR number — 15386/MUM/2025.
Shortly afterward, Ramesh received a video call from a man identifying himself as Inspector Kuldip Singh of the same cybercrime station. Dressed in a police uniform, Singh allegedly threatened the retiree, claiming that cases of human trafficking and money laundering had been filed against him. The criminals demanded Ramesh share his personal and bank details, warning that he and his family would be arrested if he failed to comply.
Victim coerced into transferring funds
Fearing legal consequences, Ramesh followed the scammers’ instructions. He closed all his fixed deposits and transferred the funds to his ICICI account, which the criminals claimed would be verified to ensure they were not linked to illegal activities. They then obtained OTPs from him and, between September 29 and October 10, siphoned off Rs 1,62,77,160 to their accounts.
During this period, the victim was kept under continuous video surveillance. The scammers instructed him to remain online at all times, creating constant fear and stress.
Police action and ongoing investigation
A case was formally registered on October 15 after the criminals ceased contact and Ramesh approached the authorities. Bengaluru police have launched an investigation into the cybercrime, with efforts underway to trace the perpetrators and recover the stolen funds.
Cyber experts warn that such “digital arrest” scams are increasingly targeting elderly citizens who may be less familiar with online security measures. They advise the public to never share personal, banking, or OTP information over calls or video calls, even if the person claims to be a law enforcement officer.
Conclusion
This case highlights the evolving tactics of cybercriminals, who exploit fear and trust in authority to defraud unsuspecting victims. Authorities have urged vigilance and prompt reporting of any suspicious calls or messages to prevent further incidents.