Bhubaneswar: Cyber criminals placed a retired senior NALCO officer and his wife, a former college lecturer, under “digital arrest” for nearly 35 hours in Bhubaneswar, attempting to extort Rs 1 crore by exploiting fear of terrorism and law enforcement. The incident was reported from the Nayapalli area of the city.
According to the complaint filed by the couple, the ordeal began with a call from an unknown number, with the caller introducing himself as a police official. The fraudster claimed that their Aadhaar cards had allegedly been misused by terrorists and that they were under investigation for terror-related activities.
The callers threatened immediate arrest and instructed the couple not to step out of their house without permission.
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Terror scare used to enforce digital confinement
The scammers escalated pressure by claiming arrest warrants had already been issued. To lend credibility to the threat, individuals dressed in police uniform appeared on video calls, warning the couple of imminent legal action.
They were also told that an HDFC Bank account had been opened in their names in Jammu and Kashmir and was being used for illegal transactions. Terrified by the accusations, the elderly couple complied with the instructions and remained confined inside their home for nearly one and a half days.
During this period, the fraudsters demanded Rs 1 crore to “settle” the case and avoid arrest.
Bank visit exposes the scam
The plot began to unravel when the couple went to a bank to transfer the demanded amount. Bank officials informed them that the account details provided by the callers were inactive. Alarmed, the couple made further inquiries and soon realised they were being targeted in a cyber fraud attempt.
They immediately approached the cyber police, preventing a major financial loss.
The woman later told investigators that the first call came on February 9, with the caller identifying himself as a “Patna-based police officer”. She said she was told that a terrorist named Qarim Khan had used her Aadhaar card for fraudulent activities.
“We were shown people in police uniform on video calls and told that arrest warrants had been issued against us. They also claimed we had an HDFC account in Jammu and Kashmir. We were frightened and agreed to their demand of Rs 1 crore,” she said.
Cyber police launch technical probe
Cyber police have registered a case and initiated a technical investigation. Call detail records, video call links, bank account information and digital trails are being analysed to trace the accused.
Officials said the modus operandi points to an organised “digital arrest” racket that appears to be targeting senior citizens by leveraging fear of terrorism and fake law enforcement identities.
Investigators are examining IP trails and device-level data to determine where the calls originated and how the extortion attempt was coordinated.
Authorities issue public advisory
Police have urged citizens, especially elderly residents, not to trust phone or video calls claiming arrests, terror links or Aadhaar misuse. Officials stressed that no government agency conducts investigations or demands money over calls or video conferences.
People have been advised to immediately contact local police or cyber helplines upon receiving such threats, as early reporting significantly improves the chances of stopping financial fraud.
With cyber-enabled intimidation cases on the rise, authorities reiterated the need for vigilance and verification before responding to any such claims.
The investigation is ongoing, with police hopeful that digital evidence will soon lead to identification of the perpetrators and dismantling of the network behind the attempted extortion.
About the author — Suvedita Nath is a science student with a growing interest in cybercrime and digital safety. She writes on online activity, cyber threats, and technology-driven risks. Her work focuses on clarity, accuracy, and public awareness.
