In yet another alarming case of digital impersonation and psychological manipulation, a 68-year-old chartered accountant (CA) from Bhubaneswar was duped of ₹1.5 crore by cybercriminals posing as officials from the Customs Department, Enforcement Directorate (ED), and the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).
The fraudsters allegedly held the elderly professional under a “digital arrest” — coercing him to remain isolated in his home for 10 days while transferring money to multiple bank accounts to avoid a fictitious money-laundering prosecution.
The scam unfolded even as the Odisha Police was conducting a month-long cyber awareness campaign that began on October 18.
How the ‘Digital Arrest’ Unfolded
According to investigators, the victim received a WhatsApp video call from scammers claiming to be law enforcement officers. They accused him of being linked to money laundering through his Aadhaar card and claimed that a fake FIR had been filed against him.
Over the next several days, the fraudsters — using AI-generated video backgrounds of courtrooms and police stations — pressured him emotionally, threatening arrest and public humiliation unless he paid for a so-called “official pardon.”
“Using sophisticated AI tools, they created fake visuals of judicial proceedings, convincing him that the case was real,” said a senior police officer. “They manipulated him into transferring ₹1.5 crore across multiple accounts.”
Isolation, Threats, and Financial Coercion
The impostors ordered the CA to avoid contact with family or friends, warning that any communication could “jeopardize the investigation.” This isolation tactic effectively placed him under a virtual house arrest, a hallmark of the growing ‘digital arrest’ scam model.
The victim was also made to share his bank details for supposed verification by the RBI, and promised a refund after a fabricated “trial.”
The fraud came to light only after a family member noticed his distress and confronted him. The victim then lodged a complaint with the Cyber Police Station under the State Crime Branch in Cuttack.
A Growing National Concern
The Bhubaneswar incident coincides with the Supreme Court’s concern, expressed on November 3, over the sharp rise in digital arrest scams. According to the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) and CBI, these scams have defrauded Indians — mostly elderly and retired citizens — of over ₹3,000 crore nationwide.
Investigators have found that several of these syndicates are run from foreign countries, where trafficked Indian youth are forced into cyber fraud operations after having their passports confiscated.
“We are tracking the digital footprints and bank transactions to trace the culprits,” said an investigating officer, warning that cyber gangs are evolving faster than public awareness.
Lessons and Warnings
Authorities have urged citizens to stay alert to calls from individuals posing as government or enforcement officials, especially when demands for money or video verification are made.
Cyber Safety Tips:
No legitimate officer will demand payments or video verification online.
Avoid sharing Aadhaar, bank details, or OTPs with unknown callers.
Contact authorities immediately if threatened with “digital arrest.”
Report scams at 1930 helpline or www.cybercrime.gov.in.
Despite frequent awareness drives by the RBI, banks, and state cyber cells, police said senior citizens remain prime targets due to their trust in authority figures and lack of exposure to AI-driven deception.
