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An elderly woman from Chandigarh has been defrauded of nearly ₹2.5 crore in a complex digital arrest scam. The perpetrators posed as high-ranking officials from the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI), the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), and the Supreme Court to manipulate the victim into transferring her life savings.
Fraudsters Impersonate TRAI, CBI, and Supreme Court Officials
The scam began on May 3 when the victim received a call from someone claiming to be a TRAI official. The caller informed her that her phone number was linked to criminal activities and that an FIR (MH 5621/0225) had been filed against her, warning that her number would be deactivated unless she cooperated.
She was then connected to Arvind Sharma, who warned her of severe consequences and said a police officer would contact her. Shortly after, she received a WhatsApp call from Vijay Khanna, the “investigating officer,” and was added to a group video call with several others, including a man claiming to be Raj Ranjan, a Deputy Inspector General of the CBI.
During the call, the scammers showed her forged arrest warrants and accused her of involvement in a money laundering case linked to Jet Airways CEO Naresh Goyal. They claimed an account was opened in her name at Canara Bank, Mumbai, without her consent, and presented fake Supreme Court documents and a “confidentiality agreement,” coercing her to take an oath of secrecy.
On May 4, they escalated their threats, claiming she was under “digital surveillance” and must keep her phone on. They demanded all her financial details, including bank accounts and insurance policies. By May 5, another call featured someone impersonating the Chief Justice of India, who presented a counterfeit Supreme Court order directing her to transfer her funds to a “secret supervision account” within 48 hours.
Cyber Police Launch Investigation
Over the following days, the fraudsters meticulously guided her actions, dictating when and how to visit the bank and advising her behaviour in public. Fearing repercussions, the woman complied with their instructions, ultimately transferring nearly ₹2.5 crore.
The cyber police station in Chandigarh has initiated an investigation into the incident. Authorities are working to trace the perpetrators and recover the defrauded amount. This case underscores the growing threat of digital arrest scams, where fraudsters exploit technology and impersonate officials to deceive victims, particularly the elderly.
About the Author – Anirudh Mittal is a B.Sc. LL.B. (Hons.) student at National Forensic Sciences University, Gandhinagar, with a keen interest in corporate law and tech-driven legal change.
