Kalaburagi. A 67-year-old retired doctor in Karnataka’s Kalaburagi has allegedly lost ₹1.79 crore in a “digital arrest” scam after cybercriminals first posed as courier company employees and later impersonated officials of the Enforcement Directorate (ED) and National Investigation Agency (NIA). Police said the accused allegedly claimed that the doctor and his wife were linked to the banned Popular Front of India (PFI) and used the threat of an investigation involving an alleged ₹2.5 crore illicit fund to pressure the victim into transferring money.
According to police, the fraud began on July 14 when the doctor’s wife received a phone call from a person claiming to be associated with a courier company. The caller allegedly told her that an illegal package in her name was being sent to Mumbai. The call was subsequently transferred to another person, who allegedly claimed that the package was connected to a serious criminal investigation.
Courier Call Turned Into Investigation Threat
The fraudsters allegedly then introduced themselves as officials of central investigative agencies. The doctor was reportedly told that his family’s name had emerged during the investigation into the alleged courier case. The callers subsequently accused him of having links with PFI and involvement in alleged illegal financial activities.
Police said the fraudsters claimed that an alleged illicit fund of around ₹2.5 crore was linked to the doctor. They allegedly told him that an investigation was underway and demanded an amount equivalent to 10 per cent of the alleged fund to prevent further legal action.
Victim Kept Under Constant Online Pressure
The accused allegedly kept the doctor in continuous contact through phone calls and other online communication. He was reportedly made to believe that he was under the surveillance of central investigative agencies and that failure to follow the callers’ instructions could lead to arrest and other legal consequences.
In digital arrest scams, criminals typically impersonate police officers, investigating agencies or other government officials and create a false sense of urgency. They then isolate victims psychologically and persuade them to transfer money in the name of verification, investigation or avoiding arrest.
₹1.79 Crore Transferred to Multiple Accounts
According to police, the doctor transferred a total of ₹1.79 crore into multiple bank accounts under the alleged instructions of the fraudsters. He later realised that he had been duped and approached the police.
Investigators are now focusing on the bank accounts that allegedly received the money. Police are attempting to freeze the accounts and trace the transferred funds. Call records, mobile numbers, transaction details and other digital evidence are also being examined.
Money Trail Under Investigation
The investigation is centred on tracing the complete money trail of the ₹1.79 crore. Investigators are examining the initial beneficiary accounts as well as subsequent transactions to determine where the money was transferred and who ultimately benefited from it.
In cyber fraud cases, stolen funds are often moved rapidly through multiple bank accounts. Police are therefore examining transactions beyond the initial accounts to identify other members of the alleged network and determine the final beneficiaries.
‘Creating Fear Is the Biggest Weapon’
Renowned cyber crime expert and former IPS officer Prof. Triveni Singh said digital arrest scams rely heavily on psychological manipulation along with technology. According to him, criminals often begin by posing as representatives of a courier company, bank or other trusted organisation before escalating the conversation into an alleged criminal investigation.
He said the use of names of agencies such as the ED, NIA or police can cause victims to panic and believe that the callers are genuine officials. Any demand for money during a phone or video call in the name of avoiding arrest, investigation or account verification should be treated as a major warning sign. Victims should independently verify the claim through official channels instead of transferring money.
Police Trace Accounts and Call Records
Police said technical investigation is underway to identify and arrest the accused. Bank accounts, transaction records, call details and other digital evidence are being examined. Investigators are also attempting to trace the money as far as possible and identify the wider network involved in the alleged fraud.
The case highlights how cybercriminals are moving beyond conventional OTP and fake banking calls to multi-stage scams involving courier deliveries, criminal investigations and impersonation of central agencies. A genuine government agency does not require a person to transfer money over a phone or video call to stop legal proceedings. Any such demand should be treated as a serious red flag, with the victim immediately contacting the police or the official cybercrime reporting system.
About the author — Suvedita Nath is a science student with a growing interest in cybercrime and digital safety. She writes on online activity, cyber threats, and technology-driven risks. Her work focuses on clarity, accuracy, and public awareness.
