Five Arrested for Cheating Retired Officer of ₹2.21 Crore in "Digital Arrest" Scam

Bengaluru : In a significant breakthrough, the CID cybercrime unit has apprehended five individuals involved in a fraudulent scheme that deceived a retired civil engineer from Kodagu district out of ₹2.21 crore. The scam, involving a “digital arrest” threat, highlights the increasing sophistication of cyber frauds.

The elaborate scam began when the retired officer received a call from someone claiming to be from FedEx. The caller informed him that a parcel containing drugs was found in his name and had been seized. The officer was then transferred to another caller who impersonated a police officer and demanded money to resolve the issue.

Fearing legal trouble and believing the threat was genuine, the retired officer transferred ₹2.21 crore to the accounts provided by the scammers. The fraudulent nature of the call was revealed only after the money was transferred.

Following the complaint, the CID cybercrime unit launched a detailed investigation. Tracing the financial transactions through bank account details, they identified the suspects and tracked them down to Dubai. The arrested individuals are Mohammad Shakib, Mohammad Ayan, Ahsan Ansari, Salomon Raja, and Yousuf Seth.

During the operation, the CID seized ₹1.70 crore in cash, 7,700 US dollars, and a luxury Benz car purchased with the embezzled funds. This substantial recovery underscores the scale of the scam and the luxurious lifestyle funded by the stolen money.

The police are still on the lookout for three additional suspects who remain at large. Efforts are ongoing to apprehend these individuals and bring them to justice.

This incident sheds light on the growing menace of “digital arrest” scams, where fraudsters impersonate law enforcement or investigation officers to extort money. The scam typically involves threats of arrest or legal action to coerce victims into transferring funds.

Authorities have issued warnings to the public to remain vigilant against such scams. They advise individuals to verify the legitimacy of any such claims and report suspicious activities to the police immediately.

In light of this case, police urge citizens to:

Avoid sharing personal or financial information over the phone.
Confirm the identity of any caller claiming to be from law enforcement or investigative agencies.
Report any suspicious calls or activities to the authorities promptly.

This case not only highlights the ingenuity of cyber criminals but also underscores the need for increased public awareness and caution in financial transactions.