Udupi (Karnataka): A 76-year-old man from Karnataka’s Udupi district allegedly lost ₹9.29 lakh in a digital arrest scam after cyber fraudsters impersonated law enforcement officials and falsely claimed that his bank account was linked to a ₹2 crore money laundering case. Police have registered a case and launched an investigation into the fraud, which follows a pattern increasingly used by cybercriminals to extort money through fear and intimidation.
According to the complaint filed by Vasudev Prabhu, the incident began on July 2, when he received a WhatsApp call from an unidentified individual. The caller allegedly claimed that a bank account had been opened in Prabhu’s name and was being used in connection with a ₹2 crore money laundering investigation.
The fraudster allegedly introduced himself as a government official and claimed that the Enforcement Directorate (ED) had registered a case against the victim. During the conversation, Prabhu was allegedly threatened with immediate arrest and told that he would be taken to Mumbai and kept in custody for 45 days if he failed to cooperate.
Fearing legal consequences, the elderly man allegedly transferred ₹9.29 lakh to a bank account provided by the fraudsters. After the transaction, he realised that he had been deceived and subsequently approached the police to report the incident.
Based on the complaint, Udupi Town Police registered a case under Sections 111(4), 319(2), 308(2), and 318(4) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), along with Section 66D of the Information Technology Act, which deals with cheating by personation using computer resources. Investigators are now working to trace the bank accounts, digital transactions, communication records and other electronic evidence linked to the fraud.
Police said the case highlights the growing threat posed by digital arrest scams, in which cybercriminals impersonate officials from agencies such as the police, CBI, ED, customs or cybercrime departments. Victims are often falsely accused of involvement in money laundering, narcotics trafficking or other serious offences and are pressured into transferring money to so-called “safe” or “verification” accounts to avoid arrest.
Investigators are examining the WhatsApp communication, financial transaction trail and beneficiary accounts to identify those involved in the fraud. Authorities have also urged the public, particularly senior citizens, to remain cautious when receiving calls claiming to be from government agencies or law enforcement officials.
According to the Future Crime Research Foundation, digital arrest scams rely heavily on social engineering, fear tactics and impersonation to manipulate victims into making immediate financial transfers. Fraudsters often create a sense of urgency, discourage victims from contacting family members and falsely claim that confidentiality is required as part of an ongoing investigation.
Renowned cybercrime expert and former IPS officer Prof. Triveni Singh has repeatedly advised that no legitimate law enforcement agency demands money over phone or video calls to avoid arrest or close a criminal case. He recommends that anyone receiving such calls should immediately disconnect, independently verify the claim through official channels, avoid sharing personal or banking information, and report the incident without delay.
Cybersecurity experts also advise citizens to never transfer money based on threats received over phone calls or messaging applications, avoid installing unknown applications or sharing OTPs and banking credentials, and immediately contact the National Cyber Crime Helpline (1930) or report the incident through the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal if they suspect cyber fraud. Prompt reporting significantly improves the chances of freezing fraudulent transactions and recovering stolen funds.
