Mumbai – A sophisticated Mumbai digital arrest scam has resulted in a 73-year-old former multinational conglomerate Managing Director losing ₹70 lakh to fraudsters who impersonated National Investigation Agency officials. The victim, currently working as a mining industry advisor and residing in a luxury tower in Dadar East, was kept under so-called “digital arrest” from September 25 to 27 before being allowed to use phones and other devices.
The Mumbai digital arrest scam involved multiple fraudsters posing as various law enforcement officials, creating an elaborate deception that convinced the highly educated victim of his alleged involvement in terror funding related to the Pahalgam attack. RAK Marg police registered a case on Monday based on the victim’s complaint.
Initial Contact Through Fake ATS Officer
The Mumbai digital arrest scam began on Thursday when the victim received calls from an unknown woman identifying herself as IPS officer Vineeta Sharma from Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) Control, New Delhi. The fraudster told the senior citizen they were investigating a sensitive case related to the Pahalgam terror attack.
According to police investigating the Mumbai digital arrest scam, the fake officer informed the victim that authorities had already raided several businessmen, politicians, and builders in connection with the case. She claimed the complainant’s details had emerged during investigations for allegedly helping terrorists, creating immediate fear and urgency.
Escalation to NIA Impersonation
The Mumbai digital arrest scam escalated when the woman informed the victim that his case was being transferred to the National Investigation Agency. Subsequently, calls began from a man posing as IPS officer Premkumar Gautam, claiming to be an NIA officer conducting the investigation.
During video calls central to the Mumbai digital arrest scam, the victim saw the fraudster wearing a police uniform discussing raids where documents allegedly linked the complainant to money laundering and terror funding. The impersonator even displayed a fabricated arrest warrant, demanding cooperation with investigators to establish credibility.
Chief NIA Impersonator Demands Financial Details
On Friday, the Mumbai digital arrest scam reached its climax when the victim received a call from someone claiming to be Sadanand Date, the National Investigation Agency chief. This impersonator informed the complainant that a money laundering case would be registered against him and demanded complete details of all investments.
The victim, believing the Mumbai digital arrest scam was legitimate law enforcement action, provided comprehensive information about his fixed deposits, savings bank accounts, stock market investments, and foreign bank accounts. The fraudsters then claimed all funds needed to be “legalized” through verification, requiring the victim to transfer money that would supposedly be returned later.
Transfer of ₹70 Lakh to Fraudulent Accounts
Convinced by the elaborate Mumbai digital arrest scam, the victim transferred ₹70 lakh to bank accounts provided by the accused. The fraudsters maintained pressure by demanding additional funds to avoid action under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), demonstrating sophisticated understanding of legal terminology.
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The impersonator posing as the NIA chief even sent an acknowledgement receipt for the ₹70 lakh payment, adding another layer of false legitimacy to the Mumbai digital arrest scam. However, repeated demands for more money eventually raised the victim’s suspicions, prompting him to approach RAK Marg police station.
Three-Day Digital Captivity
A particularly disturbing aspect of the Mumbai digital arrest scam involved keeping both the complainant and his wife under so-called “digital arrest” for three full days. During this period from September 25 to 27, the couple was prohibited from using phones and other devices, isolating them from potential sources of verification or assistance.
This isolation tactic within the Mumbai digital arrest scam prevented the victims from consulting family members, friends, or conducting independent verification of the fraudsters’ claims. Only after this three-day period did the perpetrators allow the couple to resume normal device usage, by which time the financial damage was complete.
Comprehensive Criminal Charges Filed
Police registered the Mumbai digital arrest scam case under multiple sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, including Section 204 (personating a public servant), Section 205 (wearing garb or carrying token used by public servant with fraudulent intent), Section 308 (extortion), Section 318 (cheating), and Section 319 (cheating by personation).
Additional charges in the Mumbai digital arrest scam include Section 336 (forgery), Section 340 (using forged document or electronic record as genuine), and Section 351 (criminal intimidation), along with various sections of the Information Technology Act. These comprehensive charges reflect the sophisticated and multi-layered nature of the fraud.
Warning Signs and Prevention
The Mumbai digital arrest scam highlights several warning signs that potential victims should recognize. Legitimate law enforcement agencies do not demand money transfers for “verification” or “legalization” purposes, nor do they conduct investigations entirely through phone and video calls without proper in-person procedures.
Authorities warn that any Mumbai digital arrest scam or similar fraud involving alleged terror funding connections, demands for financial information, or threats of immediate arrest should be verified by directly contacting police stations or official agency numbers found through independent sources, never through contact information provided by callers themselves.
