🧓bsenior Bengaluru Couple Duped in “Digital Arrest” Scam
A 77-year-old man (referred to as Karthik) and his 75-year-old wife from JP Nagar, Bengaluru, were targeted starting March 19, 2025. reddit.com+8reddit.com+8timesofindia.indiatimes.com+8
Scam began with a call disguised as an SBI employee claiming money laundering via a non-existent credit card, followed by a video call from someone impersonating a CBI officer. reddit.com+9mid-day.com+9timesofindia.indiatimes.com+9
They were falsely told there was a Supreme Court warrant and that they were under “digital arrest,” restricted from contacting even their children. onmanorama.com+8mid-day.com+8timesofindia.indiatimes.com+8
Over the next two months (till May 15), they were coerced into transferring around ₹4.7 crore (~₹4.79 crore as reported) to accounts provided by the fraudsters. timesofindia.indiatimes.com+6reddit.com+6timesofindia.indiatimes.com+6
The cybercrime police rescued them after a tip‑off, and a case was filed under the IT Act and relevant penal provisions. onmanorama.com+2reddit.com+2timesofindia.indiatimes.com+2
📈 Surge in “Digital Arrest” Scams Across India
These scams involve scammers posing as police/CBI/ED etc., threatening legal action via calls or video chats, intimidating victims into isolating themselves and transferring funds. onmanorama.com+12mid-day.com+12indiatoday.in+12
A Reddit post reports that in 2024, losses from such scams reached nearly ₹1,935.5 crore across 123,672 cases, skyrocketing from ₹91 crore in 2022. reddit.com+1reddit.com+1
“In 2024, India experienced a significant surge … reported losses nearing Rs 1,935.5 crore across 123,672 cases” reddit.com
Many high-value urban victims – retirees, professionals, even techies – have fallen prey, with individual losses ranging from lakhs to crores. reddit.com
Tactics often include fake legal documents, deepfaked-video calls, and nonstop video supervision to isolate victims. reddit.com
📌 Takeaways & Safety Tips
Legal authorities never call or video‑arrest you. No genuine law enforcement will threaten “digital arrest” over calls.
Do not comply with unsolicited demands or fund transfers. Hang up immediately.
Verify independently by contacting your local police station or bank—don’t trust caller ID or links.
Report promptly to cybercrime nodes (via helpline 1930 or cybercrime.gov.in) – early reporting can increase chances of recovery. reddit.com+15mid-day.com+15deccanchronicle.com+15timesofindia.indiatimes.comdeccanchronicle.com
🚨 Final Word
The Bengaluru couple’s loss of ₹4.7–₹4.79 crore underscores how sophisticated and fear‑driven these scams have become — especially dangerous for vulnerable people like senior citizens. This is part of a wider national surge, costing billions and targeting individuals across economic strata.
Awareness, skepticism of unsolicited legal threats, and immediate reporting are key to defusing this menace.
FAQ:
Q1: What is a digital arrest scam?
A digital arrest scam is a cybercrime method where fraudsters impersonate law enforcement or government officials over calls or video chats, claiming the victim is involved in illegal activities, and coerce them into transferring money.
Q2: Who were the victims in this Bengaluru scam?
A retired couple aged 77 and 75 from JP Nagar, Bengaluru, were manipulated into transferring ₹4.79 crore over a two-month period.
Q3: How did the scammers carry out the fraud?
Scammers pretended to be CBI officers, claimed there was a Supreme Court warrant, and placed the couple under "digital arrest," cutting them off from family and forcing fund transfers under duress.
Q4: What did the scammer do with the money?
Reports suggest the scammer visited a casino in Sri Lanka, potentially laundering the stolen funds through gambling.
Q5: How can one avoid such scams?
Never trust unknown callers claiming legal action. Government agencies do not threaten arrest over calls. Hang up and report such incidents immediately to 1930 or cybercrime.gov.in.
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Published on 11th June
Publisher : SMITA