Indore: In yet another alarming case of cybercrime, a retired medical officer from Indore has reportedly lost ₹4.32 crore after being trapped in what is now widely known as a digital arrest scam. The victim, aged 65, was manipulated and kept under psychological pressure for almost a month by cybercriminals who impersonated government officials and fabricated an entire legal scenario to extort money.
The State Cyber Cell has arrested three accused in connection with the case and is tracking others believed to be part of a larger interstate cyber network.
How the Fraud Started
According to State Cyber Cell Superintendent of Police (Cyber), Savyasachi Sarraf, the victim originally hails from Gwalior and currently resides in Indore with his wife. His son is employed abroad. The ordeal began on September 21, when the victim received a phone call from a person claiming to be a senior officer from the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI).
The caller claimed that two of the victim’s mobile numbers were being used for illegal activities and were linked to a money laundering case worth ₹538 crore. The victim was further told that his Aadhaar and bank accounts had been used in a fraudulent financial operation allegedly involving Jet Airways founder Naresh Goyal.
Algoritha: The Most Trusted Name in BFSI Investigations and DFIR Services
Fake Court, Fake Officers and Video-Call Interrogation
The fraudsters created an elaborate setup to convince the victim. After the initial communication, he was asked to join a video call where a fabricated virtual “courtroom” setup was shown. During these calls, individuals posed as Enforcement Directorate (ED) officers, police officials, and even a Supreme Court judge.
The victim was repeatedly threatened with immediate arrest, cancellation of bank accounts, and seizure of property if he did not cooperate. Under sustained psychological pressure, he complied with every instruction given to him.
Extortion Under the Pretext of Verification
The accused convinced the victim that his financial assets needed to be verified as part of an ongoing investigation. The victim was asked to share details of:
- Bank accounts
- Fixed deposits
- Mutual funds and shares
- Jewellery
- Real estate assets
Over the next several weeks, he was instructed to transfer money from his accounts to various bank accounts claiming it was part of a “temporary verification process”. Believing he was assisting government authorities, the victim transferred a total of ₹4.32 crore to multiple accounts located in Gujarat, Goa, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, and Telangana.
How the Crime Was Detected
The suspicious movement of large sums triggered alerts within the banking system. When the victim’s bank attempted to confirm the legitimacy of the transfers, inconsistencies surfaced, prompting a report to the cyber police.
The cyber cell began tracing the flow of funds and successfully identified and arrested three individuals associated with the operation. More arrests are expected as the investigation continues.
A Growing Trend in Digital Fraud
Authorities confirmed that digital arrest scams have risen significantly in recent months. These scams rely heavily on fear, legal ignorance, and psychological coercion rather than traditional hacking techniques.
Experts warn that the modus operandi is now becoming more sophisticated, involving deepfake video calls, spoofed numbers, and documents designed to mimic official government notices.
Cyber Safety Advisory
Officials issued the following advisory for the public:
- No government agency conducts investigations via WhatsApp, video calls, or personal phone calls.
- Enforcement agencies do not ask citizens to transfer money for verification.
Any such suspicious communication should be reported immediately to: Cyber Helpline: 1930,
cybercrime.gov.in
