Bengaluru — A 77-year-old man and his 75-year-old wife spent nearly two months trapped inside their home in J P Nagar after cybercriminals tricked them into believing they were under a “digital arrest.” The couple ended up transferring ₹4.7 crore to scamsters before police rescued them.
How the Scam Began
On March 19, the man, identified as Karthik (name changed), received a call from someone posing as a staff member from the State Bank of India. The caller falsely claimed that Karthik’s credit card was linked to a money laundering case, even though Karthik didn’t own a credit card.
Shortly after, he received a video call from someone who claimed to be a CBI officer. The caller told him a criminal case had been filed against him and he needed to appear at a CBI office in either Mumbai or Delhi.
The so-called officer then told Karthik that he and his wife were now under a “digital arrest.” If they contacted anyone including their children they would be arrested. The fraudsters showed forged documents and fake ID cards, including what they claimed were Supreme Court orders and RBI directives. They convinced Karthik to transfer large sums of money to two different bank accounts. Over the next 58 days, the couple followed every instruction, believing they were under legal surveillance and house arrest.
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Money Transferred Under Duress
Between March 19 and May 15, a couple transferred ₹4.7 crore under duress after falling victim to a sophisticated cyber fraud. The fraudsters used fake legal documents, video calls, and fear tactics to manipulate them. As a result, the victims sent the money via bank transfers to accounts provided by the scammers. The scammers exerted full control over the victims, warning them not to communicate with anyone. Driven by fear and intimidation, the couple complied, highlighting the growing threat of digitally orchestrated financial fraud in India.
Police Intervention and Rescue
A senior police official said they received a tip-off about the situation. The investigation team traced the couple’s location and reached their home. There, they confirmed that the couple was being held in isolation not physically, but through digital threats and psychological coercion. Police have registered a case under the Information Technology Act and relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). Investigators are now trying to trace the account holders who received the funds.
What Is a Digital Arrest Scam?
This rising form of cyber fraud is gaining traction across India, targeting unsuspecting individuals through fake calls from impersonators posing as bank staff or government officials. Scammers falsely accuse victims of serious crimes like money laundering or fraud and then threaten them with arrest or legal action. The scammers demand complete secrecy, isolate their targets, and apply intense pressure to transfer money immediately. Elderly citizens, often more trusting and less tech-savvy, are frequently among the primary targets of these manipulative and high-pressure scams.
Questions That Remain
- How did the fraudsters get Karthik’s contact details?
- Were the bank accounts used for fraud created using fake IDs?
- Could better awareness campaigns prevent such crimes?
What You Can Do
To avoid falling victim to similar scams:
- Never share personal or banking details over the phone.
- Don’t believe threats from unknown callers.
- Always verify with local police before taking any drastic action.
- Stay connected with family and alert them to suspicious calls.
About the author – Ayush Chaurasia is a postgraduate student passionate about cybersecurity, threat hunting, and global affairs. He explores the intersection of technology, psychology, national security, and geopolitics through insightful writing.