A 55-year-old man from Faridabad fell victim to the “digital arrest” cyber scam, losing large sums and enduring distress.
On October 6, the victim, a former IAF employee now working as a bank clerk, received a scam video call.
The fraudsters, pretending to be CBI and TRAI officials, informed the victim that his Aadhar card was linked to a crime.
They claimed he was implicated in a Rs.6.6 crore money laundering case involving criminal Nawab Malik, urging him to transfer money.
Fearing arrest, the victim transferred Rs.5 lakh from his account for “investigation,” with scammers promising the RBI would clear the transaction.
The fraudsters assured the victim that the RBI would validate the money transfer and refund the amount afterward.
Panic-stricken, the victim also revealed he had another account in Bihar. The fraudsters then instructed him to travel to his native Madhubani to continue the transfers. Despite being isolated and continuously coerced via video calls, the victim traveled to Bihar on October 8. Local villagers took his phone and contacted his family, which made him realize he had been duped. He returned to Faridabad two days later.
The victim lodged a complaint with the cyber police, who registered a case under the Indian Penal Code. Authorities are now analyzing the fraudulent transactions and phone records to track down the perpetrators. According to a cyber police officer, efforts are ongoing to identify the culprits behind this scheme.
As incidents of “digital arrest” scams rise, experts are urging the public to stay vigilant and report suspicious activities immediately. Cybercrime experts suggest that anyone targeted by similar scams should contact their local police or the cybercrime helpline without delay.
