Kanpur: In a meticulously crafted cyber-fraud operation, a retired Power Grid engineer in Kanpur was held under “digital arrest” for nearly three weeks. Fraudsters impersonating senior CBI officials, Supreme Court staff, and even a judge staged a complete pseudo-legal environment through video calls—eventually extorting ₹42.50 lakh from the victim on the pretext of an ongoing investigation linked to Jet Airways founder Naresh Goyal’s alleged money-laundering case.
The Scam Begins: “A fake bank account has been opened using your Aadhaar”
The ordeal began on 7 August, when Rajendra Prasad Singh, a resident of Juhi Kalan in Barra, received a WhatsApp call. The caller claimed to be an IPS officer posted with the CBI and informed him that a fraudulent bank account linked to his Aadhaar had been opened at Canara Bank, Mumbai. The caller then delivered the shocker:
“This account has been used in the Naresh Goyal money-laundering case. The matter is under Supreme Court scrutiny. You must join the online hearing immediately.”
Startled and cornered, the 67-year-old retired engineer was told to remain constantly on video call and to avoid talking to anyone—“a part of the CBI protocol,” as the fraudsters claimed.
Fake CBI office, fake court room — all staged on video calls
To deepen credibility, the fraudsters created elaborate CBI-like office backgrounds, staff acting as officers, official files, and even a fabricated Supreme Court courtroom.
On 18 August, they conducted a full-fledged fake online hearing. A man dressed formally, posing as a judge, stated:
“Your funds have been cleared in the preliminary investigation. The final report will be submitted within three days.”
The simulated courtroom setting and authoritative tone convinced the victim that the threat was genuine and that he was legally bound to cooperate.
RBI verification pretext: Five RTGS transfers totalling ₹42.50 lakh
The gang then told the victim that all his savings needed to be temporarily deposited into RBI verification accounts to prove that he was not involved in money laundering.
Between 11 and 21 August, under psychological pressure and continuous monitoring, the victim transferred ₹42.50 lakh through five RTGS transactions to two Mumbai-based savings and current accounts. Each time he transferred money, the fake officers reassured him:
“Your funds are completely safe. They will be returned within 72 hours after verification.”
Another blow: “Your Supreme Court lawyer needs ₹1 lakh as fees”
On 26 August, the fraudsters called again, claiming that the lawyer handling his case in the Supreme Court was demanding ₹1 lakh as legal fees. When the victim asked them to deduct the amount from the money he had already transferred, they rejected the suggestion:
“This is a separate court fee. It must be paid immediately.”
This inconsistency finally triggered doubt, but after 19 days of fear and isolation, the victim was mentally exhausted and unsure of what to believe.
Son intervenes, cuts the call, rushes to the cyber police station
Meanwhile, the victim’s son, who works in Noida, sensed something was amiss during their phone interactions. He rushed home and found his father still engaged in a video call with someone posing as a CBI officer.
He immediately terminated the call, brought his father to the Cyber Police Station, and filed a complaint. A formal FIR was later registered at the Barra Police Station on 26 November.
“No agency conducts digital arrests” — Police clarification
DCP South clarified:
“There is no such thing as a digital arrest. The scammers exploited fear and created psychological pressure to extort money. The accounts into which the money was transferred were emptied within minutes.”
Police have initiated a technical probe into the bank accounts, mobile numbers, and locations used by the gang. Early findings suggest that the operation is linked to a larger pan-India syndicate specialising in fake CBI–fake court video-call scams.
