Cyber fraudsters have devised a new and dangerous method of cheating the “digital arrest” model using social media videos and fake police threats to extort money. A teacher in Prayagraj became the latest victim, losing ₹7.32 lakh in the scam.
How the Scam Worked
The teacher first received an obscene video on social media, followed by a call from a man posing as a Delhi Police DSP. The caller claimed that the videos would only be deleted if immediate payments were made. Terrified by the threat to his reputation, the teacher kept transferring money multiple times.
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Police confirmed that the fraudsters misused the victim’s mobile number and bank accounts repeatedly, each time assuring him that the video had been deleted. “The accused convinced me that every payment would ensure the video was removed. But it never happened,” the teacher told investigators.
Officials said the case is not isolated. Similar scams in Prayagraj have targeted victims under different guises. In one instance, a businessman was duped of ₹22.77 lakh after being promised contact with a doctor. In another, a local resident lost ₹2.69 lakh when lured into an investment scheme that promised to double his money.
Expert’s Warning
Cybercrime expert and former IPS officer Prof. Triveni Singh warned that the “digital arrest” model is uniquely exploitative. “This method is extremely dangerous because it manipulates fear and shame. Fraudsters know that people will pay quickly to avoid losing their social reputation,” he explained. Singh added that the only effective protection is vigilance: “Do not react instantly to such calls or messages. Contact the cyber helpline 1930 immediately.”
Cyber police have registered multiple cases and begun investigations, suspecting that these fraud networks may be operating not just across India but also through international syndicates. Officials stressed that awareness and timely reporting remain the strongest weapons against such scams.