Bengaluru | In yet another alarming case of the rapidly growing “digital arrest” cyber fraud, a 76-year-old man from Bengaluru was allegedly cheated of more than ₹16.24 lakh after cyber criminals posed as Mumbai Crime Branch officials and a judge, keeping him under psychological pressure for several days. The fraudsters even staged a fake virtual court hearing through WhatsApp video calls, making the elderly victim believe that he was facing a genuine criminal investigation.
The incident was reported from the Pai Layout area of Bengaluru. Following the victim’s complaint, the South-East Cyber Crime Police registered a case under relevant provisions of the Information Technology Act and the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, and launched an investigation.
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According to the complaint, the victim received a WhatsApp call on February 16, 2026, from a person identifying himself as “Rakesh Gupta,” who claimed to be an officer from the Mumbai Crime Branch. The caller alleged that a mobile number issued using the victim’s identity documents was being used to circulate illegal and obscene messages, and that multiple complaints had been filed in connection with the matter.
After the initial call, the cyber fraudsters allegedly continued to harass the elderly man through repeated calls and messages, placing him under severe mental stress. A few days later, another person contacted him, introducing himself as “Vijay Khanna,” and claimed that the victim’s bank account had been linked to a money laundering case involving transactions worth ₹2 crore to ₹3 crore. The accused allegedly insisted that the victim travel to Mumbai for questioning.
When the elderly man expressed his inability to travel due to his age and health condition, the fraudsters reportedly offered him the option of appearing before a so-called “Crime Branch Court” through an online hearing. Soon after, a person posing as a judge appeared during a WhatsApp video call and conducted what seemed to be an official court proceeding.
As per the complaint, the fake judge threatened the victim with arrest but falsely assured him that he would be granted bail considering his advanced age. The fraudsters allegedly made the entire process appear so convincing that the victim genuinely believed he was under investigation by government agencies.
The accused later told the victim that all the money in his bank accounts had to be transferred temporarily for “verification purposes” until the investigation was completed. They also assured him that the funds would be returned after the probe concluded. Frightened and emotionally distressed, the elderly man transferred ₹16,24,107 through RTGS and IMPS in multiple transactions to bank accounts provided by the accused.
The victim realised he had been cheated only after the fraudsters became unreachable and the money was not returned. He later discussed the matter with family members and friends, who advised him to approach the police.
Cyber security experts say that in “digital arrest” scams, fraudsters impersonate police officers, CBI officials, ED personnel, TRAI representatives, or court authorities to intimidate victims. Using fake documents, forged notices, video calls, and fabricated legal procedures, criminals mentally manipulate people into transferring money without verification.
Commenting on such cyber crimes, renowned cyber expert and former IPS officer Prof. Triveni Singh said that cyber criminals are increasingly using social engineering and psychological pressure to target victims. He cautioned that no government agency conducts arrests over video calls or asks citizens to transfer money for “account verification.” He advised people to immediately disconnect such calls and contact the cyber helpline 1930 or local police authorities.
Police are currently examining the bank accounts, mobile numbers, and digital transaction trails linked to the case. Investigators suspect that the fraud may be part of a larger organised cyber crime network operating across multiple states and targeting vulnerable individuals through similar tactics.
