A 90-year-old man in Hyderabad allegedly lost ₹18 lakh after fraudsters posing as Central Bureau of Investigation officers threatened him with arrest in a money-laundering case and persuaded him to transfer money.
How Did the Fraudsters Approach Him?
Police said the fraudsters contacted the elderly man and claimed that he was involved in a money-laundering case.
They allegedly threatened him with arrest unless he cooperated and asked him to share his bank details. The impersonation was part of what is commonly described as a digital arrest scam.
The accused demanded ₹18 lakh, claiming the money was required to help him avoid arrest.
Believing that he was dealing with genuine CBI officers, the man transferred the amount. He reportedly expected the money to be returned after a process described to him as “verification”.
Proposal for Conducting Cyber Crisis Drill, Tabletop Exercise (TTEx) & CCMP Readiness Exercise
When Did the Victim Realise He Was Cheated?
The elderly man realised that he had been duped only after transferring the money.
He subsequently approached the police, after which the Cybercrime police registered a case and launched an investigation.
How Do Digital Arrest Scams Work?
Digital arrest scams involve fraudsters impersonating law-enforcement officials and intimidating victims over phone or video calls into transferring money.
Such scams have repeatedly targeted senior citizens in Hyderabad and elsewhere.
Earlier this year, an 81-year-old retired businessman from Hyderabad reportedly lost ₹7.12 crore in a similar fraud.
What Should People Know About Such Calls?
Cybercrime experts have warned that no police or CBI officer arrests a person over a phone or video call or asks for money transfers during an investigation.
People receiving such calls are advised to contact family members, local police or the national cyber helpline 1930.
A demand for money to avoid arrest or to complete a supposed “verification” should be treated as a serious warning sign. Genuine law-enforcement agencies do not conduct arrests over video calls or demand transfers to clear a person from a criminal case.
Follow for daily updates on cybercrime, corporate fraud, DFIR, hacking, investigations, and digital forensics
