Lucknow. Cyber fraudsters allegedly posing as officials of a central investigative agency kept an elderly woman from Lucknow under a so-called digital arrest for nine days and cheated her of ₹9 lakh. The fraudsters told the woman that an arrest warrant had been issued in her name and that she was under investigation in a serious case. She was repeatedly contacted through video calls and instructed not to leave her home or speak to anyone about the matter. After days of pressure, she transferred ₹9 lakh to a bank account specified by the fraudsters. When they demanded another ₹15 lakh, she became suspicious and contacted her son living in the United States.
The woman, a resident of Sector-A in Mahanagar, has previously been associated with social work. Her husband is retired from a multinational company. According to her complaint, she received a call from an unknown number at around 5 pm on September 1. The caller claimed to be an officer of a central investigative agency and told her that an arrest warrant had been issued in her name. The conversation was later shifted to WhatsApp, after which she began receiving regular calls and video calls.
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To make the fraud appear genuine, the callers allegedly showed people wearing police and investigative-agency uniforms during video calls. The logo of the investigative agency was also visible in the background. This led the woman to believe that she was actually facing an official investigation. The alleged fraudsters repeatedly warned her that she could face action if she disconnected the call, stepped outside her home or spoke to anyone else about the matter.
According to the police complaint, the woman was kept on video calls in this manner from September 1 to September 9. She was instructed to remain at home and avoid contacting anyone. The prolonged surveillance and threats of arrest allegedly kept her under severe pressure. On September 10, she transferred ₹9 lakh to a bank account provided by the fraudsters. Even after receiving the money, the callers allegedly continued making demands and asked her to deposit another ₹15 lakh.
After being asked for the additional amount, the woman contacted her son in the United States and told him about the entire incident. After hearing the details of the calls and the demands for money, her son told her that she was likely being targeted in a cyber fraud. He advised her to immediately stop communicating with the callers. The woman then realised that the people who had been speaking to her through video calls for several days were likely cyber fraudsters rather than government officials.
The woman reported the matter through the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal. She subsequently submitted a written complaint at the cybercrime police station on September 16. An initial police investigation found that the ₹9 lakh allegedly obtained from her had been transferred to a bank account in Manipur. Police are pursuing the legal process to place a hold on or freeze the account and are examining subsequent transactions and the people linked to it.
Investigators are also examining the mobile numbers, WhatsApp communications, bank accounts and other digital evidence allegedly used in the fraud. Technical analysis is being carried out to trace the digital connections and possible locations of those involved. A police team is also being prepared for further action in Manipur.
Lucknow has reported several cases involving similar digital-arrest tactics in recent months. Between July 16 and July 22, a retired airport director and his wife were allegedly kept under digital arrest and were reportedly cheated of around ₹70 lakh. In another case, a retired Food Corporation of India official and his wife were allegedly kept under digital arrest for 18 days between July 23 and August 10, with around ₹42.09 lakh reportedly being taken from them.
Cybercrime experts say fraudsters involved in digital-arrest scams generally begin by invoking the name of a government department or investigative agency to create fear. They then use video calls, forged documents, uniforms and government symbols to make their claims appear authentic. Keeping victims continuously engaged on calls and preventing them from contacting family members or acquaintances is intended to isolate them from outside advice. Any demand for money in the name of arrest, investigation or verification should therefore be treated as a major warning sign.
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.
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