Coimbatore | A fresh wave of cyber fraud cases has triggered alarm in Tamil Nadu’s industrial hub of Coimbatore, where five residents collectively lost over ₹1 crore in separate incidents. Taking serious note of the complaints, the Tamil Nadu Police has registered FIRs against unidentified cyber criminals and launched investigations. The scams involved so-called “digital arrest” threats, fake stock trading applications, and fraudulent part-time job offers.
In the first case, a retired government employee from Singanallur was cheated of ₹19 lakh. On January 13, she received a video call from an unknown individual who claimed that her name had surfaced in a 206-count financial scam allegedly involving the CEO of a private airline. Posing as officials conducting an investigation, the fraudsters threatened her with a “digital arrest” and insisted that her bank accounts needed verification. Under pressure, she shared her bank account details and passwords. Within hours, ₹19 lakh was siphoned off from her account. A Community Service Register (CSR) entry was initially made, and a formal FIR has now been registered.
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In a similar “digital arrest” scam, 80-year-old medical practitioner Dr Rangaraj from Chetty Veedhi was duped of ₹31.54 lakh. In January, he received calls claiming his name was linked to a major financial fraud. The callers warned him of immediate arrest unless he complied with their instructions. Exploiting fear and urgency, the fraudsters coerced him into transferring money in multiple transactions.
The third case involved Vijaygopal, a 63-year-old retired private bank employee from Podanur, who lost ₹47.10 lakh in a stock market investment scam. He was added to two WhatsApp groups that promoted online trading opportunities promising high returns. Following instructions from group administrators, he downloaded mobile applications named ‘Pollen’ and ‘Mibafss’ from the Play Store. His digital wallet displayed fictitious profits exceeding ₹1 crore, reinforcing his trust in the scheme. However, when he attempted to withdraw the funds, he discovered the applications were fake and the invested amount had vanished.
In another incident, Mariammal, a 29-year-old resident of Kovaipudhur, was cheated of ₹6.89 lakh while searching for part-time employment. She was contacted through Telegram in December and initially assigned simple tasks such as reviewing YouTube videos in exchange for small payments. Later, she was persuaded to “invest” a larger amount under the pretext of higher returns. Once the money was transferred, the fraudsters cut off communication.
Similarly, 35-year-old Radha Bharathi from Ondipudhur, a former IT professional, fell victim to a comparable scam. She too was approached on Telegram while seeking part-time work. After completing YouTube review tasks, she was encouraged to invest money for greater rewards. In total, she lost ₹10.52 lakh.
The pattern emerging from these cases indicates that cyber criminals are increasingly targeting retired professionals, senior citizens, and individuals seeking supplementary income. The use of intimidating terms like “digital arrest” is designed to create panic, while fake apps and manipulated dashboards are used to fabricate profits and lure victims into deeper financial commitments.
Cyber experts advise the public not to share personal or banking information with unknown callers under any circumstances. Investors are urged to verify the authenticity of trading platforms through official sources before downloading applications or transferring funds. In case of suspicion, victims should immediately contact the cyber crime helpline at 1930 and lodge a complaint.
The Coimbatore cases serve as a stark reminder that a moment’s lapse in the digital world can result in devastating financial consequences. Investigators are currently working to trace the perpetrators and recover the stolen funds, while victims await justice.
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.
