In a shocking case of cyber deception, two women were virtually held hostage for nearly nine hours by conmen impersonating police officers. The fraudsters coerced them into stripping naked under the guise of an “online medical exam” linked to fake legal charges, according to police reports on Wednesday.
The victims—a 46-year-old Bengaluru resident and her childhood friend, an international trainer from Thailand—were targeted on July 17 via a video call. The scammers, claiming to be officers from Mumbai’s Colaba Police Station, accused the Thai national of being involved in crimes like money laundering and trafficking. They reinforced the lie by revealing her actual bank card details and displaying fabricated documents such as a CBI arrest warrant.
Terrified, the women obeyed their demands and transferred ₹58,477 to a designated bank account. The scammers insisted on a body examination to “verify marks and tattoos,” forcing the victims to undress on camera.
Claiming the women were under “digital and home arrest,” the fraudsters made them stay on WhatsApp video for 24 hours and forbade them from leaving. Eventually, the Thai national reached out to another friend, who warned them it was a scam. Upon ending the call, the victims began receiving their own nude photos as blackmail.
The prolonged psychological torture caused immense distress. A case was filed on July 19 under relevant sections of the IT Act and Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita at the East CEN Crime Police Station.
Authorities are now investigating the digital trap.