Hyderabad: A fresh case of the increasingly prevalent “digital arrest” cyber fraud has surfaced, in which cybercriminals impersonated the Mumbai Police and multiple central agencies to cheat a 66-year-old retired railway employee of nearly ₹4 lakh.
Aadhaar, SIM Card and a Fake Crime Trail Spark Panic
The victim, a resident of Peerzadiguda in Hyderabad, received a call on April 7 from an unknown number. The caller introduced himself as Rahul Sharma from the “Data Protection Board of India” and claimed that a SIM card issued using the victim’s Aadhaar credentials had been used to commit illegal activities.
Shortly after, the call was transferred to another fraudster who identified himself as “Sandeep Rao,” a sub-inspector from Colaba Police Station in Mumbai. The impersonator alleged that the victim was under investigation for money laundering and that a warrant had already been issued against him by the National Investigation Agency (NIA).
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Fear, Isolation and Non-Stop Pressure Lead to ₹4 Lakh Loss
Under continuous psychological pressure, the victim was told that his bank accounts needed “verification” as part of an official investigation. Believing the threats, he transferred ₹4 lakh to accounts provided by the fraudsters on April 8. To make the scam appear legitimate, the accused also sent fake documents bearing the logos of the Enforcement Directorate (ED) and the Reserve Bank of India (RBI).
According to police officials, the scammers maintained constant pressure on the victim, even escalating their demands and suggesting that he mortgage his gold jewellery for further “compliance.” The victim grew suspicious only after discussing the matter with his family on April 15.
Family Spots the Fraud, Cybercrime Police Launch Probe
His family immediately recognized it as a cyber fraud and advised him to approach the police. Following this, a complaint was filed on April 16 at the Malkajgiri Cybercrime Police Station. A case has been registered under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), and Sections 66C and 66D of the Information Technology Act, and an investigation is underway.
Police have confirmed that the ED and RBI documents sent to the victim were entirely forged. Preliminary investigation suggests that the fraud network may be operating across multiple states, with similar cases reported elsewhere in recent months.
Authorities believe the scam is part of a larger organized cybercrime ecosystem that uses call spoofing, fake identities, and digital intimidation techniques to extort money. Investigators are now tracking mobile numbers, bank transactions, and digital footprints to identify the accused.
Officials have once again urged citizens to remain cautious of unsolicited calls claiming to be from police, ED, CBI, or other agencies. They stressed that no government authority demands immediate money transfers or conducts “digital custody” over phone calls.
The investigation is ongoing, and police suspect that the network may be linked to several other cyber fraud cases operating through interstate modules.
Expert Opinion on the Matter
Cybersecurity experts say the case reflects a growing pattern of “digital arrest scams,” where fraudsters pose as law enforcement or government officials and psychologically trap victims into isolation and panic. Victims are often instructed not to contact anyone, creating a controlled environment similar to unlawful confinement.
Cybercrime expert and former IPS officer Professor Triveni Singh said such gangs rely heavily on “social engineering and fear-based manipulation.” He explained that criminals fabricate official-looking documents, fake warrants, and government insignia to create a sense of urgency and legitimacy. “There is no legal concept of digital arrest. It is purely a psychological scam designed to break the victim’s confidence and force compliance,” he noted.
