In a rare victory against cyber fraud, a 44-year-old woman from the city has recovered the entire Rs 14 lakh she lost to a “digital arrest” scam, thanks to swift action by the police.
Woman falls prey to fake cybercrime call
On August 26, Preeti Kom Sree Sudhakar, a resident of Basaveshwaranagar, received a WhatsApp call from fraudsters posing as officials from the Mumbai Cyber Crime Police. Claiming her bank account was linked to illegal transactions, they threatened to arrest her unless she transferred money for “verification.”
Fearing legal consequences, the woman transferred Rs 14 lakh from her HDFC Bank account to an unknown Yes Bank account.
Swift police response saves funds
Realising she had been duped, the victim approached the Cybercrime, Economic Offences and Narcotic (CEN) police station, West Division, Bengaluru. A case was immediately registered.
The police acted within the crucial “Golden Hour” — the short window when fraudulent transactions can still be intercepted. By coordinating with the National Cyber Helpline (1930), they managed to freeze the funds before the fraudsters could withdraw them.
On September 3, following a court order, Yes Bank was directed to return the frozen amount. Within a week, the entire Rs 14 lakh was credited back to the victim’s account.
What is a digital arrest?
“Digital arrest” is a relatively new cybercrime tactic where fraudsters impersonate law enforcement officials and intimidate victims through video calls on platforms like Skype and WhatsApp. Victims are monitored and pressured to transfer huge sums of money to avoid “arrest” in fabricated cases.
Despite repeated advisories, police say many citizens are still unaware that there is no such thing as a “digital arrest” or “virtual arrest.” Fraudsters typically target senior citizens and vulnerable individuals who may panic under pressure, leading them to part with their savings.
Police advisory to citizens
The police have once again urged citizens to remain cautious against such scams. They stressed the importance of immediate reporting, advising victims to dial the 1930 National Cyber Helpline and visit the nearest police station without delay.
“Quick reporting is the key to preventing monetary losses in such cases,” officials said.
This successful recovery has highlighted both the risks of digital scams and the effectiveness of timely police intervention when victims act without delay.