In a stark reminder of the rising threat of cyber fraud, a 68-year-old man from Payyoli in Kozhikode, Kerala, fell victim to a digital arrest scam, losing a staggering ₹1.51 crore from his bank account. The incident surfaced on November 18, 2025, when the Gulf-returnee approached the local Cyber Police for help in recovering the lost funds, which had been transferred to an anonymous account in two separate installments.
Authorities describe this case as a classic example of how scammers exploit fear and misinformation to manipulate senior citizens, using a mix of personal data and the illusion of official authority.
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WhatsApp Call Leads to Deception; Accusations of Anti-National Activity Heighten Pressure
According to police reports, the victim received a WhatsApp video call from individuals claiming to be uniformed enforcement officers. During the call, they alleged that the man had facilitated the opening of personal bank accounts for leaders of a banned political organization, which were allegedly used for illegal transactions.
The fraudsters further intimidated the victim, asserting that he had been under surveillance for anti-national activities for several years. This tactic created a sense of urgency, compelling the man to comply with their instructions.
‘Senior Officer’ Interrogation and RBI-Monitored Account Ruse
The scammers escalated the pressure by introducing a third individual in the video call, pretending to be a senior enforcement officer. The man was instructed to transfer his entire bank balance to a designated account, purportedly monitored directly by the Reserve Bank of India for verification purposes.
Believing that the funds would be returned after completing the verification, the victim transferred the amount in two installments over the previous month. The fraudsters had previously convinced him of their legitimacy by revealing accurate details of his bank accounts, Aadhaar number, and other personal information.
Cyber Police Investigation Underway: Tracing the Fraudulent Account
The Kozhikode Cyber Police have confirmed that a detailed investigation is ongoing to trace the bank account used to receive the defrauded money. A newly formed panel, comprising bankers and police officials, is assisting in tracking the account flow and identifying the individuals behind the scam.
Authorities are also scrutinizing any links between this incident and larger syndicates involved in organized digital frauds across India.
Senior Citizens Continue to Be Prime Targets; ₹3,000 Crore Lost Nationally
A senior officer with the Cyber Cell highlighted that elderly individuals remain the primary targets of digital arrest scams. Despite aggressive awareness campaigns by the police’s social policing division, many seniors still fall prey due to fear and the convincing nature of these scams.
“The number of such incidents has decreased slightly, but fraudsters have already defrauded India of approximately ₹3,000 crore, primarily targeting senior citizens, using increasingly sophisticated techniques,” the officer added.
Spike in Urban Cases: Over ₹16 Crore Lost in Kozhikode City Alone
Kozhikode city has seen a notable rise in such scams. Over the past 11 months, more than 30 cases were registered, reporting a total financial loss of ₹16.3 crore. Eleven suspects have already been arrested, while investigations continue for more than 80 pending cases.
Cybercrime experts warn that the urban population is not immune, as scammers increasingly exploit digital literacy gaps, fear, and trust in official-looking communications.
Conclusion: Digital Arrest Scams Remain a Growing National Threat
Digital arrest fraud has evolved from isolated incidents to a systematic national cybercrime problem. Experts stress that legitimate enforcement agencies never demand money over WhatsApp or video calls, and individuals should never comply with urgent transfer requests based on intimidation.
This case underscores the critical need for enhanced digital awareness, multi-layered verification mechanisms, and timely reporting of suspicious calls to prevent further exploitation of vulnerable senior citizens.
