Nashik. Cybercriminals allegedly posing as officers of the Mumbai Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) duped a manager of an automobile manufacturing company of ₹89.99 lakh by trapping him in a Digital Arrest scam. The fraudsters allegedly told the victim that his Aadhaar card had been misused by a terrorist to open a fake bank account in Jammu and that his name had surfaced in an investigation linked to international terrorism and money laundering. They then allegedly kept him under Digital Arrest at his home for nearly 12 days and pressured him to transfer money to different bank accounts in the name of an alleged RBI investigation.
According to police, the fraud began on August 17 and continued until August 28. During this period, the cybercriminals allegedly remained in constant contact with the manager through phone calls and online communication. Claiming to be Mumbai ATS officers, they allegedly told him that he was facing serious criminal allegations and could be arrested if he failed to cooperate with the purported investigation.
Terrorism Link Used to Create Fear
The fraudsters allegedly told the manager that his Aadhaar details had been used by alleged terrorist Adil Gauri to open a fraudulent bank account in Jammu. They further claimed that the account was connected to transactions linked to terrorism and money laundering.
The sudden claim that his identity had been linked to terrorism allegedly frightened the manager, allowing the fraudsters to gain control over him. They subsequently invoked an alleged RBI investigation and told him that his bank accounts and funds were being scrutinised.
The victim was allegedly instructed to transfer money to various accounts to demonstrate that his funds were legitimate and to avoid legal action.
Kept Under Digital Arrest for 12 Days
Police said the manager was allegedly kept under Digital Arrest from August 17 to August 28. The fraudsters reportedly maintained contact with him through video calls and phone conversations and instructed him not to disclose details of the alleged investigation to anyone.
Under pressure, the manager allegedly transferred a total of ₹89,99,000 into different bank accounts specified by the fraudsters. Police said the money was subsequently moved through several other accounts, making the financial trail more complicated.
ATS and RBI Names Allegedly Misused
The alleged fraud relied on two layers of impersonation. First, the criminals reportedly posed as Mumbai ATS officials and created fear by linking the victim’s identity to terrorism and money laundering. They then allegedly invoked an RBI investigation to convince him that transferring his funds was necessary for verification.
Renowned cybercrime expert and former IPS officer Prof. Triveni Singh said Digital Arrest scams commonly exploit fear by impersonating police officers, investigative agencies, banking authorities or other government institutions. He said genuine investigations do not involve keeping a person confined at home through video calls or directing them to transfer personal funds into accounts for so-called verification.
Prof. Singh advised people receiving such calls to independently verify the identity of the caller through the official contact details of the concerned agency. He also cautioned that no person should transfer money merely because a caller threatens arrest, terrorism charges, money laundering allegations or account seizure.
Police Trace Money Trail
After realising that he had been defrauded, the manager approached the police. Investigators are now examining the bank accounts into which the ₹89.99 lakh was transferred. They are also tracing subsequent transactions to determine where the money was moved, who withdrew it and who may have ultimately benefited from the funds.
Police are examining the mobile numbers used by the suspected fraudsters, digital communications and banking records. Technical and financial evidence is being analysed to identify other members who may have been involved in the operation.
The case once again highlights how cybercriminals use the names of law enforcement and financial institutions to create panic and manipulate victims into transferring their own money. Police have appealed to citizens not to panic if they receive calls claiming to be from ATS, police, RBI or any other investigative agency. People should not transfer money under the pretext of an investigation and should immediately report suspicious calls to the police or cybercrime authorities.
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.
