Bhubaneswar – A 68-year-old chartered accountant in Bhubaneswar has fallen victim to an elaborate cyber fraud, losing ₹1.5 crore to scammers who impersonated officials from the Customs Department, Enforcement Directorate (ED), and the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). The fraudsters kept the victim under a so-called “digital arrest” for ten days, coercing him into transferring the money under the threat of a fake money-laundering case.
The case unfolded even as the Odisha Police was running a month-long cyber awareness campaign that began on October 18.
According to investigators, the ordeal began when the victim received a WhatsApp call from individuals posing as central law enforcement officers. They convinced him that his Aadhaar number had been used in illegal money-laundering transactions and that an FIR had been registered in his name.
Using advanced artificial intelligence (AI) tools, the fraudsters conducted multiple video calls showing fabricated visuals of courtrooms and police stations to create a sense of legitimacy. Under psychological pressure and fear of prosecution, the victim eventually transferred ₹1.5 crore in multiple installments to several bank accounts as part of a supposed “bail” or “official pardon.”
During this period, the scammers instructed the victim not to leave his house or communicate with anyone, effectively placing him under digital confinement for ten days.
The deception came to light only when a family member noticed the victim’s unusual behavior and questioned him. After realizing the scale of the fraud, the victim lodged a complaint at the Cyber Police Station under the State Crime Branch in Cuttack.
“We have launched a detailed investigation, tracking the digital footprint and banking trail to identify the culprits,” a police officer said. He added that despite continuous public advisories and awareness drives by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), banks, and law enforcement agencies, such high-value cyber frauds continue to rise.
The case coincides with a recent observation by the Supreme Court on November 3, expressing concern over the alarming increase in ‘digital arrest’ scams. According to submissions made by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) and the CBI, these fraudulent networks are often operated from abroad, where trafficked Indian youth are forced to participate under duress, with their passports confiscated by their handlers.
Analysis
The Bhubaneswar case highlights how cybercrime has evolved into a form of psychological warfare — blending impersonation, AI manipulation, and intimidation. Elderly citizens, often isolated and trusting of authority, have become prime targets. The misuse of technology to simulate government proceedings marks a chilling shift in the anatomy of digital fraud
