A 68-year-old man from Bengaluru was scammed out of ₹1.94 crore by fraudsters posing as Mumbai crime branch officers. The criminals staged a digital arrest scam setup during a WhatsApp video call, accusing him of involvement in a money laundering case linked to Jet Airways founder Naresh Goyal.
Scam details
- Panic-induced coercion: The scammers claimed the victim’s ATM card was seized and accused him of receiving illegal commissions.
- Digital isolation: They gave him the choice of appearing at the Mumbai crime branch or remaining under “digital arrest,” using threats to force multiple fund transfers over seven days.
- Silence enforced: The victim was warned not to inform anyone, further isolating him.
Discovery and response
The victim confided in his daughter on December 7, realizing the fraud. Together, they filed a complaint with local police, who have handed the case to the southeast CEN police station for investigation.
Government’s warning
Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently warned citizens about “digital arrest” scams, emphasizing that no investigative agency conducts inquiries via phone or video calls. He urged individuals to remain vigilant and report suspicious interactions immediately.