Noida: A retired Army colonel living in Sector 37 was allegedly held under a so-called digital arrest for two days and cheated of ₹9 lakh by cybercriminals posing as a Central Bureau of Investigation officer and a judge. The fraudsters staged an online court hearing, threatened him with arrest in a money-laundering case and persuaded him to transfer his savings to accounts they falsely described as belonging to the Reserve Bank of India.
Fake CBI Call Used to Create Fear
The victim, identified as retired Colonel Vijay, received a call at around 10 a.m. on May 20 from a man who introduced himself as a CBI official named Jagdeep.
The caller sought Vijay’s name, address and Aadhaar details before claiming that a bank account had been opened using his Aadhaar number at a Canara Bank branch in Mumbai. He further alleged that illegal transactions had taken place through the account and that a money-laundering case was pending against the retired officer.
Vijay denied any involvement and disconnected the call. The caller allegedly contacted him again, shouted at him and threatened immediate arrest. A purported warrant was then sent to him through WhatsApp, along with instructions to travel to Delhi to record his statement and surrender.
Fraudsters Stage Online Court Hearing
When Vijay pleaded innocence and referred to his age, the fraudsters instructed him not to discuss the matter with anyone while the so-called digital arrest remained in force.
They then placed him on a video call and began questioning him. One of the accused allegedly posed as senior CBI officer Akash Kulhare, while another appeared as a judge and conducted a fabricated online hearing.
The fraudsters reportedly assured Vijay that his money would be returned after verification if it was not connected to the alleged laundering case. Believing that he was cooperating with an official investigation, the retired colonel remained isolated in his room for two days.
Family Intervention Exposes ₹9 Lakh Fraud
The accused instructed Vijay to deposit money into what they described as an RBI social security account. By the morning of May 22, he had transferred approximately ₹9 lakh into bank accounts specified by the fraudsters.
When the money was not returned by the afternoon, he became suspicious. His family members, concerned that he had not left his room for two days, spoke to him and realised that he had been targeted in a cyber fraud.
Their intervention prevented him from transferring any further money. A complaint was subsequently filed on the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal.
DCP Cyber Security Shaivya Goyal said a case had been registered on the basis of the victim’s complaint and an investigation was underway. Police are collecting information about the bank accounts used in the fraud.
About the author — Suvedita Nath is a science student with a growing interest in cybercrime and digital safety. She writes on online activity, cyber threats, and technology-driven risks. Her work focuses on clarity, accuracy, and public awareness.
