A retired accounts officer in Uttar Pradesh’s Gonda allegedly lost Rs 78 lakh to fraudsters posing as CBI and IB agents.
How Did the Digital Arrest Scam Begin?
A retired accounts officer from Gonda district in Uttar Pradesh was allegedly cheated of ₹78 lakh by cybercriminals who impersonated officials of the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and Intelligence Bureau (IB). The accused reportedly kept him under the threat of a digital arrest for nearly a month.
The victim, Raj Kumar Srivastava, a resident of Subhash Nagar, received a WhatsApp call on September 22 from an individual claiming to be a CBI officer. Another caller subsequently introduced himself as an Intelligence Bureau official.
According to police, the callers accused Srivastava of sharing confidential information with Pakistani military officials. They used these allegations to intimidate him and create fear of criminal prosecution.
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How Did Fraudsters Threaten the Victim?
The accused allegedly warned Srivastava that he could face arrest and money laundering charges unless he complied with their instructions. They persuaded him to transfer money into different bank accounts, claiming that doing so would help him avoid legal action.
Police said the threats continued for nearly a month, during which the retired officer remained under pressure from individuals pretending to represent central investigative and intelligence agencies. The allegations involving Pakistani military officials and possible prosecution were central to the intimidation used by the fraudsters.
How Was ₹78 Lakh Transferred?
Srivastava allegedly transferred ₹50 lakh from his Punjab National Bank account and another ₹18 lakh from his Indian Bank account to accounts specified by the accused. He subsequently sold his properties to arrange an additional ₹10 lakh, bringing the total amount allegedly lost to ₹78 lakh.
The fraud came to light after the accused stopped responding to his telephone calls following receipt of the money. Srivastava then approached the cybercrime police station and lodged a complaint on October 28.
What Action Have Police Taken?
Superintendent of Police Abhishek confirmed that an FIR had been registered under the Information Technology Act and other relevant legal provisions. Two police teams have been constituted to investigate the case and examine the circumstances surrounding the alleged financial fraud.
The investigation concerns the impersonation of government officials, threats of arrest and transfers made to multiple bank accounts.
The case illustrates how criminals can exploit fear of legal proceedings and misuse the names of investigative agencies to pressure individuals into transferring substantial amounts of money.
