Follow us on Google News
A 75-year-old woman from Pune’s Karvenagar area was allegedly cheated of ₹32 lakh by cyber fraudsters posing as Nashik City Crime Branch officials, who threatened to arrest her over purported links to a money-laundering and drug trafficking racket. The accused kept her under a so-called digital arrest for nearly a month, forcing her to attend regular video calls and transfer money to avoid police action.
According to a complaint registered with Warje Police Station, the fraud took place between October 6 and November 6, 2026.
The accused claimed that the woman’s Aadhaar card and bank account had been misused to launder ₹2 crore connected to a drug cartel. They also sent fake arrest warrants and threatened to seize her property if she failed to cooperate.
FCRF’s Chief AI Officer Certification Returns on November 14 to Prepare Future AI Leaders
Fake Crime Branch Officers Threaten Arrest in Drug Racket Case
Police said the woman, who lives with her son and other family members in Karvenagar, was contacted through video calls on a messaging application.
The callers introduced themselves as officials of the Nashik City Crime Branch and alleged that her personal documents and bank account had been linked to a financial crime investigation.
They claimed that fraudsters had used her bank account and Aadhaar details to launder ₹2 crore, which was allegedly connected to drug trafficking activities.
To make the allegations appear genuine, the accused sent fabricated arrest warrants through the messaging application.
The fraudsters also claimed that 247 people had already been arrested in the case and told the woman that she was the 248th person on their list.
According to the complaint, she was instructed not to disclose the calls or the alleged investigation to anyone, including her family members.
Woman Forced to Attend Video Calls Twice Daily, Transfers ₹32 Lakh
The accused allegedly kept the woman under continuous psychological pressure by requiring her to report to them through video calls every morning and evening.
They warned that she would be arrested if she failed to follow their instructions.
The callers subsequently provided details of two bank accounts and directed her to transfer money, assuring her that she would not be taken into physical custody if she complied.
They also threatened to freeze her bank accounts and seize her property.
Fearing arrest and the possible loss of her assets, the woman transferred a total of ₹32 lakh in two transactions.
Police said the repeated threats and restrictions on communication prevented her from discussing the situation with family members during the alleged fraud.
The transfers exhausted her available savings.
Nephew Identifies Fraud After Woman Seeks Additional Money
After transferring ₹32 lakh, the woman approached her nephew for financial assistance because she had no savings left.
Her nephew questioned why she needed the money, prompting her to explain the calls, arrest threats and payments she had made.
After hearing the details, he recognised that she had been targeted by cyber fraudsters and informed her that the purported investigation was not genuine.
The matter was subsequently reported to Warje Police Station, where a complaint was registered.
Police are investigating the alleged impersonation of Nashik Crime Branch officials and the transfer of money into the bank accounts provided by the accused.
The case centres on the use of fabricated criminal allegations, forged arrest documents and repeated video calls to pressure an elderly woman into surrendering her savings.
The investigation is continuing to identify those responsible for the fraud and trace the transferred funds.
About the author — Suvedita Nath is a science student with a growing interest in cybercrime and digital safety. She writes on online activity, cyber threats, and technology-driven risks. Her work focuses on clarity, accuracy, and public awareness.
