Bengaluru: In one of the most alarming “digital arrest” cyber fraud cases reported in recent months, cybercriminals allegedly duped an elderly woman in Bengaluru of nearly ₹24 crore by placing her under constant psychological pressure in the name of a fake money laundering investigation.
According to investigators, the accused kept the victim under continuous phone and video-call surveillance for several months while impersonating officials from investigative agencies and coercing her into transferring massive sums of money.
Target Profiling and Institutional Impersonation
Police identified the victim as Lakshmi Ramamurthy, a resident of Shivajinagar, who had recently received a substantial amount after selling a property. Investigators suspect that the cybercriminals somehow gained access to details of her financial transactions and banking activity before initiating contact with her in January 2026.
Officials said the accused introduced themselves as officers from financial crime and investigation agencies and falsely claimed that the woman’s bank accounts were linked to a money laundering case. The fraudsters allegedly convinced her that she was under a so-called “digital arrest” and warned her not to contact family members or outsiders while the “investigation” was underway.
During the course of the fraud, the woman was reportedly forced to remain available on video calls for long durations and follow instructions issued by the accused. Investigators believe the cybercriminals used fear, intimidation and psychological manipulation to isolate the victim and gain complete control over her financial decisions.
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Financial Exhaustion and Interception at Banking Desk
According to police, between January and May 2026, the victim transferred nearly ₹24 crore through multiple transactions into several bank accounts operated by the accused network. Even after receiving huge amounts, the fraudsters allegedly continued demanding more money.
The case came to light when Lakshmi Ramamurthy visited the ICICI Bank Cantonment branch in Bengaluru to pledge nearly 1.30 kilograms of gold jewellery in order to arrange additional funds. Bank officials reportedly became suspicious due to the unusual nature of the transaction and immediately alerted the police.
Following the alert, a team from the CCB Cyber Crime police station reached the bank and questioned the elderly woman. Initially reluctant to disclose details, she later revealed that she had been trapped in a “digital arrest” scam and had been acting under constant pressure from individuals claiming to be government investigators.
Laundering Mechanics and Coordinated Interventions
Police subsequently registered a cyber fraud case and informed the victim’s children, who are currently residing abroad. During the investigation, authorities traced the money trail and discovered that the funds had been routed through 22 different bank accounts in an apparent attempt to conceal the movement of money and complicate tracking efforts.
Investigators have so far arrested five accused, including Gaurav Kumar and Om Prakash Rajput, from Mumbai, Allahabad and Delhi. Officials also confirmed that one bank account containing approximately ₹60 lakh has been frozen as part of the ongoing probe.
According to investigators, the cyber fraud network appears to have operated in a highly organised manner using fake identities, internet-based calling systems, mule bank accounts and layered financial transactions. Cyber forensic teams are now examining digital evidence, banking records, call logs and transaction patterns to identify other members of the network and trace the remaining funds.
Social Engineering Hazards and Official Grievance Channels
Cyber crime expert and former IPS officer Professor Triveni Singh said that “digital arrest” scams have emerged as one of the most dangerous forms of social engineering-based cybercrime in the country. According to him, “Fraudsters exploit fear of law enforcement, arrest and legal action to psychologically control victims. Senior citizens and individuals living alone are particularly vulnerable to such manipulation.”
He further emphasised that no legitimate government agency places citizens under “digital arrest” through phone or video calls, nor asks individuals to transfer money into private accounts for verification purposes. He urged people to immediately contact family members, banks and the national cybercrime helpline 1930 if they receive such threatening calls.
Police said efforts are currently underway to identify additional members of the fraud syndicate and recover the defrauded amount. Authorities believe the investigation could expose a much larger interstate cybercrime network operating through similar “digital arrest” tactics across the country.
