Cyber criminals posing as law enforcement and central agency officials cheated an 85-year-old Mumbai resident of ₹1.27 crore by trapping him in what is being described as a classic ‘digital arrest’ fraud, a scam that relies on fear, impersonation and forged documents rather than technical hacking. One person has been arrested in connection with the case, while investigators continue to trace the wider fraud network.
The victim, a retired employee of a reputed scientific institution, resides in the Andheri (Juhu–Versova Link Road) area. According to investigators, the fraud began in October 2025, when the elderly man received a phone call from an unknown individual claiming to be associated with the Bengaluru police.
During the call, the man was falsely accused of being involved in money laundering, with the caller alleging that suspicious transactions worth ₹75 lakh had been carried out in his name. The caller further claimed that the case was being jointly investigated by the Delhi Police and the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).
To intensify pressure, the victim was warned that he could be arrested at any moment and that failure to cooperate could lead to serious consequences for his family. The caller allegedly told him that his family members could face legal trouble and that his son’s employment could also be affected.
Soon after, another individual contacted the victim, introducing himself as a CBI official, and initiated a video call. During the call, the fraudster displayed what he claimed were official documents, including an FIR and an arrest warrant. Forged papers were also sent electronically to make the threat appear legitimate and urgent.
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Under sustained psychological pressure and fearing arrest, the senior citizen complied with the instructions given by the callers. Between December 2 and December 10, he transferred a total of ₹1.27 crore in multiple transactions to a bank account provided by the fraudsters. He was assured that the amount was being taken as part of a verification process and would be returned once the investigation was completed.
After the transfers were made, the callers abruptly became unreachable, raising suspicion. The victim later discussed the matter with a friend, who alerted him to the possibility of cyber fraud and advised him to approach the authorities. The complaint was subsequently registered through the cyber helpline and taken up by the cyber cell.
During the investigation, police traced the account into which the money had been deposited and identified the account holder as Parshuram Dashrath Jagtap. Investigators said the accused had allegedly provided his bank account to a cyber fraud syndicate, enabling the transfer and movement of the defrauded funds. He has been arrested, and further interrogation is underway.
Officials said the case highlights the growing threat of ‘digital arrest’ scams, where criminals impersonate police, CBI or other government agencies to extort money by exploiting fear of legal action. In such frauds, victims are often shown fake documents, made to stay on long calls or video calls, and warned against contacting anyone else.
Police stressed that no law enforcement agency conducts arrests, investigations or financial verifications over phone or video calls, nor do they ask citizens to transfer money to private accounts. Any genuine legal action, officials said, follows formal procedures and written notices.
Citizens have been urged to remain vigilant and immediately report any call claiming arrest, investigation or fund verification to the cyber crime helpline or the nearest cyber police unit. Authorities also advised families to regularly brief elderly members about such fraud patterns, as senior citizens are increasingly being targeted.
Investigators are now examining whether the same syndicate is linked to similar digital arrest fraud cases reported in other cities. The probe is ongoing, with efforts focused on tracking the money trail and identifying additional beneficiaries.
About the author – Ayesha Aayat is a law student and contributor covering cybercrime, online frauds, and digital safety concerns. Her writing aims to raise awareness about evolving cyber threats and legal responses.
