Bengaluru: A Bengaluru-based woman, living with her elderly husband, fell victim to a meticulously crafted ‘digital arrest’ cyber fraud, losing a staggering ₹32.17 lakh to criminals who falsely claimed that her son was involved in a serious crime and that both mother and son would be arrested if she failed to comply.
The woman, identified as Sushma Pant, received a phone call on 19 November from individuals impersonating officers from Mumbai Police Cyber Crime Wing. The caller informed her that her son’s Aadhaar card and bank credentials had been misused in a money laundering case being probed by the central agency.
To add credibility, the fraudsters sent her fabricated documents, including a letter allegedly issued by the Supreme Court, claiming an arrest warrant had been approved.
Scare Tactics: ‘You Are Under Digital Arrest’
The criminals escalated fear by declaring she was now under ‘digital arrest’ — a coercive tactic first seen in high-value cybercrime cases. She was instructed to: Disconnect from everyone, Remain confined at home, Not inform family or friends, Stay constantly online on video as “surveillance”
They claimed her calls, movements and bank accounts were being monitored due to “national security concerns”. Under extreme psychological pressure, the woman was persuaded to transfer money in multiple installments:
| Date | Amount Lost | Mode / Details |
|---|---|---|
| 19 Nov | ₹27.12 lakh | Online transfers to multiple mule accounts |
| 20 Nov | ₹2.05 lakh | Payment to false “Taxation Department” account |
| 26 Nov | ₹3 lakh | Transfer made under threat of arrest |
| 29 Nov | ₹7 lakh demanded; attempted transfer | Family intervened before payment |
The fraudsters insisted the funds were “verification deposits” needed to prove her innocence.
Fear of Son’s Arrest Triggered Panic
The offenders threatened that her son was moments away from being handcuffed. They warned:
“If you inform anyone, the case will be closed and both you and your son will be arrested.”
They used legal jargon, fake badge numbers, virtual courtroom backgrounds, and impersonated senior officials to make the situation believable.
Pant later confided in a relative who instantly recognised the fraud and helped her approach the police. By then, ₹32,17,000 had vanished into 11 different bank accounts, suspected to be held by money mules operating across states. An FIR has been registered and the investigation is now underway to trace the cybercrime network and recover the siphoned funds.
Rising Threat: How the ‘Digital Arrest’ Scam Works
Cybercrime officials say this pattern is rapidly spreading across major cities:
- Victim is accused of involvement in a crime
- Scammers isolate the victim digitally and emotionally
- Threaten swift arrest and criminal charges
- Demand immediate transfers to avoid “custodial interrogation”
- Claim government surveillance to stop communication
Many educated, financially stable individuals have fallen prey because fear disables rational judgment under pressure.
Police Advisory: What You Must Remember
Authorities have urged citizens to never panic, citing these key precautions:
- No law enforcement agency arrests people over a phone or video call
- No government authority demands money to avoid legal action
- Never share personal or banking details with unknown callers
- Immediately disconnect if threatened or isolated
- Report without delay at: Cyber Crime Helpline: 1930, Cyber Crime Portal: cybercrime.gov.in
“Fear is the biggest weapon these criminals use,” a cybercrime official said. “Public awareness is the strongest defence.”
