Agra. Cybercriminals allegedly posing as police personnel and Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) officials subjected a retired government employee to 34 days of psychological harassment under the pretext of a digital arrest, cheating him of ₹72.74 lakh. The fraudsters claimed that his Aadhaar card had been used to open a bank account for terrorists in Karnataka and threatened to implicate him in a serious criminal case. Frightened by threats of arrest, an encounter and seizure of his property, the elderly man transferred ₹72,74,900 to multiple bank accounts. The victim, Vinod Kumar Srivastava, is a retired accountant from the Kanpur Municipal Corporation who lives in the Sikandra area of Agra. Police have registered a case following a cybercrime complaint and initiated an investigation.
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Fraud Began With a Call From Someone Claiming to Be From Police Lines
According to the victim, the fraud began on August 21, when he received a call from an unknown number. The caller claimed to be associated with Agra Police Lines and told him that ATS officials wanted to speak to him immediately. The fraudsters subsequently alleged that his Aadhaar details had been used to open a bank account for terrorists at ICICI Bank in Karnataka. They claimed that ₹3.50 crore had been deposited into the account and that Vinod Kumar had received a commission of ₹35 lakh in return.
The elderly man denied receiving any commission and rejected any association with terrorists. However, instead of listening to his explanation, the fraudsters began threatening him. Posing as investigative officers, they allegedly threatened to send him to jail, carry out an encounter and seize his entire property. By portraying the alleged case as extremely serious, they frightened him into following their instructions rather than questioning their claims.
WhatsApp Calls Used to Maintain Pressure for 34 Days
Between August 21 and September 23, the accused allegedly kept the victim under constant pressure through WhatsApp audio and video calls. He was instructed not to discuss the matter with anyone. The fraudsters specifically warned him against informing his wife or sons about the alleged investigation.
They attempted to convince him that the matter was highly sensitive and that sharing information with anyone else could worsen his situation. Continuous threats and psychological pressure prevented him from discussing his ordeal with his family.
The fear became so intense that whenever he stepped outside his home, he began suspecting that people around him might be ATS officials. Taking advantage of this anxiety, the fraudsters continued directing his actions. The victim eventually came under their influence regarding his savings and bank accounts, allowing them to manipulate him into transferring substantial sums.
Fixed Deposits Broken to Transfer Money Into Four Accounts
The fraudsters allegedly instructed the victim to break his fixed deposits (FDs) and transfer the proceeds into his savings account. Between August 27 and September 18, they allegedly persuaded him to transfer a total of ₹72,74,900 to four different accounts.
According to the available details, ₹22.80 lakh was transferred to an account belonging to Mittal Trading, ₹3.51 lakh to Autotech Enterprises, ₹30.40 lakh to Urban Kabada Solutions LLP and ₹16.03 lakh to Cafe Bux.
The transfers accounted for a substantial portion of the savings the retired employee had accumulated over his working life. The fraudsters’ claims about the alleged terrorist-linked bank account were not supported by any evidence presented to the victim, according to the information available in the case.
Victim Disclosed the Ordeal to His Son, Exposing the Fraud
After enduring more than a month of psychological harassment, Vinod Kumar finally gathered the courage to tell his son about the incident. The family then suspected that he had been targeted by cybercriminals rather than genuine officials from an investigative agency.
With his family’s assistance, a complaint was lodged through the cybercrime reporting portal. Police registered a case, treating the matter seriously, and began examining the technical evidence associated with the bank accounts into which the money had been transferred. Investigators are working to identify the accused and trace their involvement in the alleged fraud.
Police Warn Against Digital Arrest Scams
Police have advised people to remain alert to such fraudulent calls. No genuine investigative agency arrests or places individuals under digital arrest through WhatsApp calls or video calls. Threats involving arrest, alleged links to terrorism or seizure of property should not be accepted at face value.
Anyone receiving such a call should remain calm, disconnect immediately and report the incident to the national cybercrime helpline at 1930. Prompt reporting can improve the chances of tracing the transferred money and preventing further withdrawals from the accounts involved.
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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