Lucknow News Desk— In a chilling case that highlights the growing menace of psychological cyber fraud, a Lucknow resident fell victim to a “digital house arrest” — a sophisticated scam in which criminals posing as law enforcement officials extort money by instilling fear and isolation.
The victim, Hirak Bhattacharya, was defrauded of ₹1.18 crore after receiving a WhatsApp call from a man identifying himself as “Vijay Khanna”, who claimed to be a police officer from Delhi. Khanna alleged that a bank account in Bhattacharya’s name at Canara Bank, Delhi, was being used for money laundering.
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Shortly after, another caller, posing as “Rahil Gupta” from the Enforcement Directorate (ED), contacted Bhattacharya, claiming to be investigating the case. Over several days, the fraudsters manipulated him into transferring large sums of money — a total of ₹1,18,55,000 — to multiple “official accounts” for so-called verification purposes.
They also sent fake arrest warrants and court seizure orders, warning that Bhattacharya could be arrested if he disobeyed. The criminals instructed him not to talk to anyone about the “ongoing investigation,” effectively cutting him off from all contact and placing him under what investigators describe as digital confinement.
Arrest Reveals Network of Digital Deceit
Following the complaint, police arrested one of the accused, who confessed to his involvement. Once a local sweet maker, the suspect told police he was introduced to the racket by an associate named Anurag from Sitapur. Anurag promised a 2% commission if he opened a bank account and handed over its documents and SIM card.
The suspect opened an account at IndusInd Bank, Gomtinagar, and turned over the credentials. Investigations later revealed that Anurag was working with foreign-based cybercriminals, who laundered the stolen money through cryptocurrency transactions (USDT), taking a 5% commission on each transfer.
Police said the arrested man’s bank account was linked to 22 cybercrime complaints across India, with transactions worth several crores of rupees.
How the Scam Operates
The digital house arrest scam relies on fear, authority, and isolation rather than hacking. Scammers obtain personal data from leaked databases or stolen courier documents, then impersonate officers from the CBI, ED, or police.
They contact victims via WhatsApp or Skype, claim involvement in money laundering or terrorism financing, and order them to stay on video calls “under surveillance.” The background often mimics an interrogation room, complete with fake insignias and police IDs.
Victims are pressured to transfer funds into “safe” accounts to prove their innocence. They are forbidden from contacting anyone, ensuring complete psychological control. Once the money is received, the scammers disappear, transferring the funds through multiple layers of accounts and crypto wallets abroad.
Authorities Warn of New Cybercrime Trend
Cybercrime investigators say this case marks a disturbing shift in online fraud — from technical hacks to social engineering and psychological coercion. Unlike phishing scams, these crimes rely on authority and intimidation, making victims voluntarily hand over money.
Officials have urged the public to remain vigilant:
- Law enforcement never demands money for investigations via WhatsApp or video calls.
- No government agency will ask for “temporary deposits” or threaten arrest online.
Suspected cases should be reported immediately to cyber helpline 1930 or the local cyber police.Experts warn that as digital dependency deepens, criminals are exploiting trust in institutions and technology. By blending fake identities, encrypted calls, and fear tactics, they have transformed online fraud into a psychological weapon.
This emerging threat, investigators say, represents the next evolution of cybercrime — one where victims are not merely deceived, but digitally imprisoned.
