Telengana: In Telangana’s Mahabubabad district, cyber criminals executed a highly organized “digital arrest” scam, cheating a retired school teacher and his wife of nearly ₹82 lakh. The accused impersonated officials from telecom companies, police departments, and central investigative agencies, keeping the couple under continuous fear and psychological pressure.
Telecom Warning Used to Start Fraud
The incident began on April 11 when the retired teacher’s wife received a phone call. The caller claimed to be an executive from a major telecom company and warned that multiple complaints had been filed against her husband’s mobile number, which could lead to its suspension. This initial contact marked the beginning of a carefully planned fraud operation.
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Soon after, the couple was connected via WhatsApp video call to another fraudster dressed in a police uniform. He introduced himself as a police officer from Bengaluru and falsely claimed that the teacher’s Aadhaar details had been misused to open a bank account in Mumbai. He further alleged that a large sum linked to international criminal activity had been deposited into that account.
To intensify fear, the fraudsters displayed a fake arrest warrant and told the couple they were under “digital arrest.” They were instructed not to leave their home or contact anyone. The scammers maintained constant surveillance through video calls, ensuring the victims remained isolated and frightened.
Fake Officials Kept Couple Under Pressure
The fraud escalated when another individual joined the operation, posing as an officer from a central investigative agency. He repeatedly called the couple and threatened them with strict legal action if they did not cooperate. The victims were subjected to prolonged intimidation, with continuous calls reinforcing the false narrative of an ongoing criminal investigation.
Under immense psychological pressure, the retired teacher and his wife transferred their entire savings and fixed deposits into multiple bank accounts provided by the fraudsters. The money was sent in several installments, including ₹49 lakh, ₹22.22 lakh, and ₹11.22 lakh, through RTGS transactions. The scammers assured them that the funds would be returned after “legal verification,” which further convinced the victims to comply.
However, after May 3, all communication suddenly stopped. The accused switched off their phones and became unreachable. Realizing they had been trapped in a well-orchestrated cyber fraud, the couple approached the authorities and filed a complaint.
Mule Accounts and Fake Call Centres
Cybersecurity experts have highlighted that such cases reflect a growing trend where criminals combine technical manipulation with psychological coercion. According to Prof. Triveni Singh, a cybercrime expert, “Fraudsters are now creating a false sense of digital arrest to isolate victims and pressure them into transferring money. This is a highly dangerous and organized form of cyber blackmail.”
Investigations suggest that the scam was part of a larger cybercrime network involving fake call centers and mule bank accounts used to route stolen money.
Authorities have advised citizens to remain cautious of unsolicited calls claiming involvement in legal cases or government investigations. They strongly recommend verifying such claims through official channels and immediately reporting suspicious activity on the national cyber helpline 1930. People are also warned not to share personal or banking details over phone calls or click on unknown links.
