A former MLA from the Aurad constituency in Bidar district has fallen prey to an elaborate digital arrest scam, losing around ₹31 lakh to cyber fraudsters who posed as officers of central investigative agencies and even staged a fake courtroom proceeding online.
How The Fraudsters Operated
The incident began on August 12 when the ex-MLA received a call from individuals claiming to be from the Central Bureau of Investigation and Enforcement Directorate. They accused him of involvement in financial irregularities and warned of legal action. To build pressure, the victim was placed under what was described as a “digital arrest”, where he was kept under constant surveillance through WhatsApp video calls.
The fraudsters went a step further by creating a staged virtual courtroom. On video calls, impostors played the roles of judges and senior officers, showing fabricated ID cards and arrest warrants. The victim was told to transfer money as a refundable deposit for the ongoing investigation. Believing the drama to be real, he transferred ₹10.99 lakh initially and another ₹20 lakh later, taking the total loss to around ₹31 lakh.
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Complaint And Investigation
After nearly a week of harassment, the former legislator discussed the matter with his family and realised he had been cheated. He filed a complaint with the Bidar Cyber Crime Police Station on September 6. Police have registered a case under relevant sections of the IPC and Information Technology Act. Investigators are now tracking the money trail and the origin of the calls to identify the culprits.
Growing Trend Of Digital Arrest Scams
Digital arrest scams have emerged as a major cyber threat across India. In such cases, conmen impersonate law enforcement officials, threaten victims with arrest, and force them to transfer money under the pretext of legal cooperation. Similar incidents have been reported in recent months, where senior citizens, professionals, and even retired defence officers lost huge sums of money after being subjected to staged online interrogations and courtroom hearings.
This case once again highlights that cyber criminals can target anyone, including experienced public figures. Officials have advised people to remain cautious and remember that no investigative agency conducts arrests or hearings over WhatsApp or demands money transfers during inquiries. Any such threats should be reported immediately by calling the cyber helpline 1930 or registering a complaint on the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal.