A 58-year-old woman became the latest victim of the rapidly growing “digital arrest” scam, losing a staggering ₹1.80 crore to cybercriminals who impersonated Mumbai Police officers. The woman, terrified by threats of arrest in a fabricated human trafficking case, transferred the money to multiple bank accounts before realising she had been duped.
According to her complaint filed with the Central Enforcement Cell (CEN) police station, the incident took place in October when she received a phone call from individuals claiming to be officers from the Mumbai Police. The callers informed her that she was allegedly involved in a human trafficking case and that strict action, including arrest, would be taken against her unless she cooperated with the ongoing “investigation”.
Overwhelmed by fear and confusion, the woman complied with their instructions. Believing the threats, she transferred a total of ₹1.80 crore to various bank accounts provided by the fraudsters. It was only later, after the scammers cut off contact, that she realised she had fallen prey to one of the most prevalent cybercrimes targeting vulnerable citizens across India.
Digital arrest scams on the rise
Police officials said the case reflects a worrying spike in digital arrest frauds, where cybercriminals use intimidation, impersonation and psychological manipulation to extort money. Typically, scammers pose as police, CBI, NCB or customs officials and accuse victims of crimes such as money laundering, drug trafficking or misuse of parcels. They often force victims to stay online on video calls for hours, simulating a “custodial” environment.
In many cases, victims—especially senior citizens or women living alone—are too frightened to verify the claims and end up transferring large sums to accounts controlled by fraud syndicates.
Victim files complaint with CEN police
After realising she had been cheated, the woman approached the CEN police station and registered a complaint. Police sources said an investigation is underway to trace the money trail and identify the individuals behind the calls.
Officers also noted that the criminals used multiple bank accounts to move the funds quickly, making tracking and freezing the money more challenging. Authorities are examining call records, bank transactions and digital footprints of the scammers.
Police urge public to stay vigilant
Cybercrime officers reiterated that no police department conducts arrests or investigations over phone calls. Legitimate law enforcement agencies never ask citizens to transfer money to avoid legal action.
They advised the public to immediately disconnect calls from unknown numbers claiming to be from law enforcement, and to verify any information through official channels. Police also urged citizens to spread awareness among family members, particularly senior citizens, who are more susceptible to such intimidation tactics.
Need for awareness and digital literacy
Experts say digital arrest scams thrive on fear and lack of awareness. They emphasise the need for regular public campaigns, especially in urban areas like Bengaluru, where high-value digital transactions are common.
With more such incidents being reported across the state, police are pushing for stronger digital literacy initiatives and quicker inter-bank coordination to curb such frauds.