IIT Bombay Student Falls Victim to ‘Digital Arrest’ Scam, Loses Rs.7.29 Lakh

A 25-year-old student from IIT Bombay has become the latest victim of the increasingly rampant “digital arrest” scam, losing Rs.7.29 lakh to cybercriminals who posed as officials from the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI). The victim reported the incident, which occurred in July 2024, to the Powai police on Tuesday, reigniting concerns about the rising threat of cyber fraud.

The fraudster called the victim from an unknown number, pretending to be a TRAI employee. The fraudster claimed that 17 complaints had been filed against the victim’s mobile number for illegal activities and warned the student that the number would be deactivated unless he obtained a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the police. To make the threat more convincing, the scammer transferred the student to someone posing as a “Cyber Crime Branch” officer.

The student was scammed through fake “digital arrest” threats, paying Rs.7 lakh after video calls and false money laundering accusations.

The victim realized he had been scammed only after searching online for information about “digital arrest.” The Powai police have now launched an investigation, though the perpetrators remain unidentified. They are urging the public to be vigilant and cautious about such scams, which have been increasingly targeting educated professionals across India.

Experts emphasize that real authorities do not initiate video calls or demand money in such situations. Victims should immediately contact the cybercrime helpline or their local police if they suspect a fraud attempt.

The “digital arrest” scam, which often uses fear and urgency to manipulate victims, continues to evolve, with cybercriminals finding new ways to deceive people. As cybercrime cases rise, authorities urge the public to stay alert to such sophisticated threats.

For more information on how to protect yourself from digital fraud, visit the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre’s website.