In a cybercrime case that spanned 12 days, a retired vice-chancellor from Uttarakhand was forced into a “digital arrest” scenario and ultimately parted with INR 1.47 Crore. The suspect—arrested from Himachal Pradesh—allegedly impersonated officials and manipulated the victim into sending the money.
Final Call: Be DPDP Act Ready with FCRF’s Certified Data Protection Officer Program
Virtual Detention Ends in Financial Ruin
According to reports, the offender called the retired academic, claiming to be law enforcement and alleging that he was under investigation for money laundering. Over a 12-day period of fear and virtual isolation, the victim complied with repeated demands, transferring the total amount across multiple accounts.
Authorities tracked the transfer trail and arrested the suspect in Himachal Pradesh, recovering some of the funds. The accused is now lodged in judicial custody as the Cybercrime Squad continues its probe into potential accomplices and accomplice networks.
The Growing Threat of ‘Digital Arrest’ Scams
This case continues a troubling trend of scams exploiting official impersonation and digital coercion. Retired professionals and educated individuals—once considered less vulnerable—are increasingly targeted with sophisticated psychological manipulation.
Cybercrime experts warn that such operations blend fear tactics with digital trickery, using fabricated legal notices, ongoing video monitoring, and staged documentation to control victims. A retired VC losing INR 1.47 Crore highlights just how far these criminals have advanced.