Muzaffarpur | A shocking cyber fraud case from Bihar’s Muzaffarpur has raised serious concerns over digital safety and public awareness, after cyber criminals impersonating Anti-Terrorist Squad (ATS) officials kept an elderly couple under a “digital arrest” for 17 days and cheated them of nearly ₹19 lakh. During this period, the victims were kept under constant psychological pressure and controlled through phone and video calls.
The victims, retired employee Harendra Kumar and his wife Kanti Devi, said the ordeal began on March 26 when they received a WhatsApp call. The caller introduced himself as an ATS officer and made serious allegations, claiming that a SIM card had been issued using their Aadhaar details and was being used for terrorist activities. It was further alleged that bank accounts had also been opened in their name for suspicious financial transactions.
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Following these accusations, the couple was threatened with immediate arrest and told that they were under a serious national-level investigation. They were gradually convinced that they were under “digital surveillance” until the investigation was completed. This marked the beginning of a 17-day-long psychological ordeal.
According to the victims, the fraudsters kept them almost continuously on phone and video calls. They were monitored day and night and were allowed only minimal breaks. In many instances, they were forced to remain on call for nearly 24 hours, severely affecting their sleep and normal life. They were also restricted from speaking freely with anyone outside the controlled communication.
The scammers exploited fear and confusion in a highly systematic manner. First, the victims were made to write a so-called “apology application,” requesting leniency and cooperation in the investigation. Later, they were told that as per Reserve Bank instructions, money had to be deposited for verification purposes. Under this pressure, the victims began transferring funds to multiple bank accounts through RTGS.
On March 30, ₹5.60 lakh was transferred to an account linked to Kochi, Kerala. On April 2, ₹7.10 lakh and ₹6.15 lakh were transferred to separate accounts in Mumbai and Karnataka respectively. In total, ₹18.85 lakh was siphoned off by the fraudsters.
When the scammers continued demanding more money, the victims finally became suspicious. Realizing they had fallen victim to a well-orchestrated cyber fraud, they disconnected the calls, contacted their family members, and lodged a complaint on the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal.
After the incident, the family provided emotional support to the couple, who were reportedly under severe mental stress due to prolonged fear and manipulation. The family expressed concern that the psychological pressure could have led to extreme consequences.
The victims also revealed that the fraudsters possessed detailed information not only about them but also about their entire family, which intensified their fear and sense of helplessness. Continuous threats and the fear of arrest left them mentally exhausted.
Following the complaint, an investigation has been initiated. Preliminary findings suggest that the fraud may have been executed using mule bank accounts opened in the names of fake companies. Authorities are currently examining the transaction trail and associated financial networks.
Cybersecurity experts say that “digital arrest” scams have become a new weapon for criminals, where law enforcement identities are misused to psychologically trap victims. By creating fear, isolation, and constant surveillance, fraudsters are able to extract money without resistance.
The case once again highlights that cybercrime is no longer just a technical issue, but a form of psychological warfare, where awareness and verification remain the strongest defense against such evolving threats.
