Meerut: A widow in Uttar Pradesh’s Meerut has allegedly been cheated of ₹4.15 lakh in a cyber fraud involving a fake foreign gift and a so-called “digital arrest” threat. The victim was first befriended on social media before being lured into believing that an expensive gift had been sent to her from abroad. Fraudsters then impersonated customs officials and threatened her with arrest over alleged foreign currency in the parcel, coercing her into transferring money. After remaining silent for several days due to fear and intimidation, she approached the police, following which an FIR was registered and an investigation was launched.
According to police, the victim lives in the Jay Devi Nagar area with her two daughters following the death of her husband. On July 19, she received a message on social media from an account named “Sahil King 124.” What began as a casual conversation gradually turned into regular communication. The accused claimed to be living abroad and won the woman’s confidence through frequent messages and phone calls over the following days.
Investigators said the fraudster later told the woman that he had sent her an expensive gift from overseas. On July 21, he contacted her again, claiming that the parcel had arrived in India. Later that day, she received a WhatsApp call from another person posing as a delivery agent, who claimed that the package contained foreign currency and that ₹8,000 had to be paid to clear it through customs.
When the woman refused to pay, she began receiving repeated calls from different numbers. One caller identified himself as a customs official and warned that she would be arrested because the parcel allegedly contained foreign currency. Faced with repeated threats of legal action and imprisonment, the woman came under severe psychological pressure.
Police said the fraudsters instructed her not to discuss the matter with anyone, warning that doing so would worsen the alleged case against her. Exploiting her fear, they persuaded her to transfer a total of ₹4.15 lakh through six separate transactions into multiple bank accounts. Even after receiving the money, the fraudsters allegedly continued demanding additional payments on various pretexts.
The victim remained silent for several days due to fear and stress. However, after becoming suspicious, she approached Nauchandi Police Station and reported the incident. During the preliminary inquiry, police confirmed that she had fallen victim to a cyber fraud. An FIR has been registered, and the case has been handed over to the cyber crime unit for detailed investigation.
Initial investigations have identified several bank accounts that received the fraudulently transferred funds. Investigators suspect the money was quickly routed through multiple accounts to make tracing the ultimate beneficiaries more difficult. Police are now analysing bank records, mobile numbers, digital payment trails, IP addresses, and other electronic evidence. They are also examining whether the operation is linked to a larger interstate cyber fraud syndicate.
According to renowned cybercrime expert and former IPS officer Prof. Triveni Singh, scams involving fake foreign gifts, customs clearance charges, and digital arrest threats have become increasingly common. He emphasised that no government agency, including the police or customs authorities, demands money over phone calls, WhatsApp, or social media to avoid arrest or legal action. He advised the public to immediately disconnect such calls, avoid making any payments, and report suspicious incidents without delay through the National Cyber Helpline (1930) or the official Cyber Crime Reporting Portal.
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.
