A 57-year-old Kozhikode woman lost ₹1.35 crore after fraudsters posing as police officers threatened her with criminal cases.
How Did the Fraudsters Approach Her?
The woman, a resident of Kuthiravattom in Kozhikode, received WhatsApp voice and video calls from unidentified individuals between September 22 and October 15, 2026.
According to police, the callers impersonated officers from the Mumbai Crime Branch and claimed that a SIM card obtained fraudulently using her identity documents was linked to several criminal cases. The callers allegedly told her that she was under police surveillance, creating fear of possible legal action.
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How Was ₹1.35 Crore Transferred?
The fraudsters instructed the woman to transfer money from her bank accounts to the Reserve Bank of India for verification. They allegedly promised that the amount would be returned with interest after the process was completed. Believing their claims, the woman transferred ₹1,35,14,000 through 13 transactions from three bank accounts held in her name.
Kozhikode City Cyber Crime Police registered a case on Friday under relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and the Information Technology Act. The suspects remain unidentified, and the investigation is continuing.
How Does Digital Arrest Fraud Work?
The incident reflects a method commonly associated with digital arrest fraud, in which criminals impersonate law enforcement officials and use threats of criminal proceedings to pressure victims into transferring money.
In this case, the alleged misuse of identity documents and a SIM card became the basis for the threats. The callers then introduced a supposed financial verification process to obtain the money. Such impersonation schemes rely on creating fear and urgency. Victims may be led to believe that cooperating immediately is necessary to avoid legal consequences.
The use of WhatsApp calls also allows fraudsters to present themselves as officials without meeting victims in person.
What Should People Know About Such Threats?
Claims of police surveillance, criminal involvement or mandatory bank-account verification should not be accepted solely because they come from someone claiming to represent an investigating agency. Requests to transfer money for verification, particularly when accompanied by threats, are serious warning signs of impersonation fraud.
The Kozhikode case demonstrates how allegations involving identity documents can be used to create pressure and obtain substantial payments.
The loss of ₹1.35 crore through 13 transactions shows how fraudsters can combine official impersonation, identity-related allegations and promises of refunds to secure repeated payments. The central warning is the demand to transfer money under the pretext of a criminal investigation.
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