A 72-year-old retired scientist from the Indian Veterinary Research Institute (IVRI), Dr. Shukdev Nandi, fell victim to a high-tech “digital arrest” scam, losing ₹1.29 crore over three days after fraudsters impersonated CBI and Bengaluru Police officials.
Elaborate Conspiracy via WhatsApp Video Call
On June 17, Nandi received a WhatsApp video call displaying the Bengaluru City Police logo. The caller warned that Nandi’s Aadhaar-linked SIM had been used in human trafficking and financial crimes. He was then connected to a supposed CBI officer, “Dayanayak,” who claimed illegal funds were in his accounts. Under intense pressure, Nandi was kept in “virtual custody,” directed to transfer savings to multiple accounts for a supposed audit, before realising the deceit on June 26.
Police Net Four Akhilesh Pradesh
The Uttar Pradesh Special Task Force (STF) tracked Nandi’s digital deposit trails and arrested four suspects on July 4 near Gomtinagar Extension in Lucknow. The accused Shyam Kumar, Rajneesh Dwivedi, Sudhir Kumar Chaurasia, and Mahendra Pratap Singh (alias Chandan Singh) were alleged accomplices who used fake CBI credentials and psychological manipulation to extract money. They had recruited each other through an operative network originating in Varanasi, laundering the illicit funds via crypto converting cash into USDT through a Trust Wallet via a handler named Faiz.
Police seized mobile phones, ATM cards, and cheque books during the arrests. Investigators continue to search for mastermind “Ankit” and “Deepak,” suspected to have orchestrated the scam.
Surging Digital Arrest Scams Targeting Seniors
This case joins a disturbing pattern across India in 2025, where dozens of elderly citizens, including a Noida advocate and a 73-year-old Mumbai doctor, were coerced into transferring crores under threats of arrest. Experts warn that these scammers are increasingly leveraging realistic video calls, official-looking IDs, and strategic psychology to isolate victims and extract large sums.
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Advice for Public Vigilance
Authorities urge citizens to treat unsolicited calls or video calls from officials with suspicion—especially if they involve payment demands. Always verify through genuine channels and involve trusted family members before any transaction. Banks and police recommend independent confirmation via official helplines.
About the Author – Anirudh Mittal is a B.Sc. LL.B. (Hons.) student at National Forensic Sciences University, Gandhinagar, with a keen interest in corporate law and tech-driven legal change