Chennai: Even India’s most decorated scientists are not immune to the evolving menace of cybercrime. Padma Bhushan awardee and former Secretary to the Government of India in the Department of Science and Technology, Professor T. Ramasami (77), has fallen victim to a sophisticated ‘digital arrest’ scam, losing ₹57 lakh to cyber fraudsters who subjected him to days of psychological manipulation and virtual intimidation.
According to police records, the fraudsters impersonated officials from the CBI, Delhi Police and other enforcement agencies, coercing the senior scientist to prematurely close fixed deposits and transfer funds into mule bank accounts. The Greater Chennai Police’s Cyber Crime Wing has registered a case and initiated a detailed investigation.
A Distinguished Career
Professor Ramasami is among India’s most respected technocrats. He served as Secretary, Department of Science and Technology, between 2006 and 2014, and later as Director General of the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR). He has also headed the Central Leather Research Institute (CLRI), Chennai, and currently serves as a Professor of Eminence at Anna University. His contributions to science and public policy have earned him both the Padma Shri and Padma Bhushan.
A Phone Call That Triggered the Ordeal
The incident began on September 11, when Ramasami received a call on an old Delhi-based mobile number dating back to his tenure in government. The caller, posing as an official from the Department of Telecommunications, claimed that multiple complaints had been registered against the SIM card issued in his name.
The call was soon “transferred” to a purported Delhi Police officer who spoke aggressively and instructed the septuagenarian to join a WhatsApp video call. With the assistance of a junior colleague, Ramasami installed the application unaware that he was stepping into a carefully constructed trap.
On video, the man appeared in khaki uniform, seated against a Delhi Police insignia. Soon after, a woman claiming to be a senior CBI officer joined the call and displayed what appeared to be an arrest warrant bearing Ramasami’s photograph and Aadhaar details.
Identity Data Used as a Weapon
The fraudsters alleged that a Canara Bank account had been opened in Mumbai using Ramasami’s Aadhaar credentials and was linked to a human trafficking case. They warned him that the matter involved national security laws and explicitly instructed him not to speak to anyone, including family members or colleagues.
What unsettled the scientist most was the depth of information the scammers possessed his Aadhaar card, bank details, past postings in Delhi, and even confidential knowledge of his philanthropic activities. This comprehensive profiling strengthened the illusion of authenticity and deepened his fear.
Permission to Travel, Surveillance on the Road
On September 13, Ramasami was scheduled to receive a Lifetime Achievement Award in Tiruchirappalli. Believing himself to be under ‘digital custody’, he sought permission from the fake CBI officer to travel. The scammers issued a forged clearance letter and insisted that he remain connected via video call during the journey.
When his vehicle crossed the Ulundurpet toll plaza, the fraudsters sent a message acknowledging his location convincing him that he was under active surveillance.
₹57 Lakh Drained in the Name of ‘Verification’
On September 15, the scammers claimed that Ramasami was now being treated as a victim rather than an accused, but that financial verification was necessary. Acting under duress, he transferred ₹30 lakh. The following day, he prematurely closed two fixed deposits with State Bank of India and transferred another ₹27 lakh to Yes Bank accounts in Bengaluru.
When the fraudsters later demanded that he raise an additional ₹3 crore by “leveraging his contacts”, Ramasami finally refused. He reported the matter on the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal (NCRP), following which Chennai police registered an FIR.
Rising Digital Arrest Cases
Tamil Nadu Police officials confirm a sharp rise in such cases. More than 1,200 complaints related to digital arrest scams have been registered in the state in 2025 so far. Senior citizens and retired government officials remain prime targets due to their savings, trust in institutions, and limited familiarity with evolving cybercrime tactics.
Police Advisory
Authorities have reiterated that no law enforcement agency conducts arrests, investigations or asset verification over phone or video calls. Citizens receiving such communications are urged to immediately contact the 24×7 cybercrime helpline 1930 or report the incident at cybercrime.gov.in.
