Pensioner Loses ₹87.73 Lakh to ‘Digital Arrest’ Fraud
A 76-year-old retired Alwal resident was allegedly cheated of ₹87.73 lakh by fraudsters posing as CBI and Cyberabad Crime Branch officials.
Fraudsters posing as Cyberabad Crime Branch and CBI officials allegedly kept a 76-year-old retired Alwal resident under continuous video surveillance and cheated him of ₹87.73 lakh by falsely linking him to a ₹538-crore money-laundering case.
According to a complaint lodged with Malkajgiri Cybercrime police, the victim received a call from a person claiming to be a Cyberabad Crime Branch official. The caller alleged that someone had opened a bank account in the victim’s name using his Aadhaar details at a Canara Bank branch in Mumbai, and that the account was linked to a major money-laundering case.
Another caller, claiming to be a CBI official, said the account was connected to an investigation involving the founder of a prominent airline. The fraudsters alleged that ATM cards and several bank accounts had been created using the victim’s identity and were being used for illegal transactions.
They later connected him by video call with other purported CBI officials and a person posing as a judge. The victim was told to appear at CBI headquarters in Mumbai, but was later told that proceedings could be conducted by video conference because of his age.
The impersonators asked him to prepare an affidavit declaring his innocence and sent him a document purported to be a Supreme Court order on WhatsApp. Claiming that money transfers were required under court directions, they obtained his bank details and gave him beneficiary account numbers and IFSC codes for RTGS transfers.
The victim was allegedly kept under 24-hour video surveillance and told to remain at home, keep his phone active, avoid meeting anyone and keep the matter secret from his family in the name of national security.
Under sustained pressure, he transferred ₹87,73,900 in 15 transactions: ₹50.12 lakh from his Canara Bank account, ₹13.56 lakh from his HDFC Bank account and ₹24.05 lakh from his wife’s Canara Bank account.
He realised he had been cheated after discussing the matter with his family and contacted the cybercrime helpline.
Malkajgiri Cybercrime police registered a case and are investigating the money trail, beneficiary accounts and identities of those who allegedly impersonated investigating and judicial officials.
