Cyber fraudsters impersonating officials of the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) allegedly duped a 73-year-old retired district judge from Hyderabad of ₹1.66 crore in a sophisticated “digital arrest” scam.
The victim, a resident of Neredmet, was reportedly kept under psychological pressure by the fraudsters for several days before transferring large sums of money to accounts controlled by the accused.
Fraudsters posed as CBI officials
According to police, the scam began on February 23 when the retired judge received a phone call from a person claiming to be a senior CBI officer.
The caller alleged that the judge’s Aadhaar details were linked to a money-laundering and human trafficking case, and that law enforcement agencies were investigating him.
The fraudsters then warned the victim that a non-bailable arrest warrant had been issued against him and instructed him not to disclose the matter to anyone.
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Fake documents and video calls used
During the scam, another accused — posing as a senior officer — contacted the victim through WhatsApp video calls and showed him a forged document bearing the emblem of the Supreme Court.
The fraudsters claimed they were conducting a “financial assessment” as part of the investigation and demanded that the victim transfer money for verification purposes.
Believing the claims to be genuine, the retired judge transferred ₹1.66 crore in four separate transactions between February 25 and March 2 to bank accounts provided by the accused.
Victim realised fraud after money not returned
The fraudsters had allegedly assured the victim that the money would be returned after the verification process was completed.
However, when the promised refund did not materialise and the accused became unreachable, the victim realised he had been cheated.
He subsequently informed acquaintances and lodged a complaint with the authorities.
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Case registered, probe underway
The case has been registered with the Malkajgiri cybercrime police under relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and the Information Technology Act, including charges related to cheating, criminal conspiracy, impersonation, forgery and extortion.
Police have launched an investigation to trace the bank accounts used in the fraud and identify the individuals involved in the cybercrime network.
Authorities have also cautioned citizens to remain alert to calls from individuals claiming to be law enforcement officers demanding money for “verification” or threatening arrest.
About the author – Rehan Khan is a law student and legal journalist with a keen interest in cybercrime, digital fraud, and emerging technology laws. He writes on the intersection of law, cybersecurity, and online safety, focusing on developments that impact individuals and institutions in India.
