Mumbai, September 30, 2025 —In yet another reminder of India’s widening cybercrime landscape, fraudsters in Mumbai swindled ₹70 lakh from a 75-year-old retired executive — the former managing director of the Aditya Birla Group — by luring him into what authorities describe as a growing menace: the so-called “digital arrest” scam.
Police officials said the victim was deceived into believing that his name had surfaced in connection with the Pahalgam terror attack investigation. Leveraging fear, fabricated documents and impersonation, the scammers pushed him into transferring his life savings across multiple bank accounts.
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The Anatomy of a Fraud: Fear Meets Technology
The elaborate scheme began when the victim, who lives in Parel, received a call from a woman identifying herself as an officer with the Delhi ATS Control Room. Moments later, a man appeared on a video call wearing a police uniform, introducing himself as IG Prem Kumar Gautam.
The caller alleged that the former MD’s bank accounts were under scrutiny, warning that his passport could be seized and arrest imminent. Under pressure, the senior citizen disclosed details of his finances — bank accounts, fixed deposits, and investments.
To make the scheme appear legitimate, the fraudsters invoked the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), citing fabricated rules. Claiming the funds needed to be “converted into white money,” they persuaded him to transfer ₹70 lakh into three separate accounts. To bolster credibility, the victim was even sent fake RBI receipts over WhatsApp.
Suspicion and a Police Complaint
The deception unraveled only when the fraudsters demanded an additional ₹1 crore. Alarmed, the victim approached the R.K. Marg police station on September 28 and filed a complaint.
Police Response
Mumbai’s cyber crime cell has since launched an investigation, seizing WhatsApp chats, audio call recordings, and bank transaction trails. Investigators say they are tracing the digital footprints to identify the syndicate behind the fraud.
Expert View: A Psychological Web
According to Prof. Triveni Singh, cybercrime expert and former IPS officer, the case reflects the dangerous evolution of digital fraud in India.
“This is a textbook example of how criminals now combine technology with psychological manipulation,” Prof. Singh said. “Senior citizens, especially those with stature and financial means, are prime targets. Fear is their first response — and fraudsters exploit it ruthlessly.”
A Growing Trend With Global Echoes
Cases of “digital arrest” fraud have surged across Indian metros in recent months, echoing similar scams reported in the United States, Europe, and Southeast Asia. Typically, victims are isolated, threatened with legal consequences, and forced to comply under duress.
Experts warn that unless public awareness and digital literacy campaigns are scaled up, such schemes will continue to ensnare even the most educated and financially savvy citizens.
This latest Mumbai case underscores a sobering reality: in the digital age, fraud is not just about hacking systems — it is about hacking the human mind.
