Noida Family Falls Victim to ‘Digital Arrest’ Scam, Loses ₹1 Crore

A family in Noida was duped of over ₹1 crore after being held under ‘digital arrest’ for five days by fraudsters posing as government officials. The shocking cyber scam, where victims are coerced through video calls into believing they are under investigation, is emerging as a new form of online fraud.

A Call That Led to Fear and Extortion

The ordeal began on February 1, when Chandrabhan Paliwal received a call from an unknown number, claiming to be from the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI). The caller threatened to block his SIM card and told him his case had been forwarded to the Cyber Crime Branch of Mumbai.

Within minutes, another person, pretending to be an IPS officer from Mumbai’s Kolava Police Station, made a video call to Paliwal. He falsely accused him of extortion and claimed that 24 criminal cases were registered against him across different locations. The fraudsters further escalated the threat, saying the CBI was investigating him for money laundering.

Trapping the Entire Family

The deception did not stop with Paliwal. His wife and daughter also received video calls from the scammers, who warned that the entire family would be arrested if they did not comply. Under immense pressure and fear, the family ended up transferring ₹1.10 crore over five days.

Authorities Step In

Once Paliwal realized he had been scammed, he reported the incident to the police. Deputy Commissioner of Police (Cyber Crime) Preeti Yadav confirmed that an investigation is underway.

How ‘Digital Arrest’ Scams Work

‘Digital arrest’ is a rising form of cyber fraud where scammers impersonate CBI, police, or customs officials. They use fake claims of illegal international parcels, money laundering, or criminal charges to intimidate victims into making payments. Video calls add a layer of psychological pressure, making the threats seem real.

Stay Vigilant Against Cyber Fraud

Authorities urge people to verify unknown calls, avoid sharing personal information, and never transfer money under pressure. With cybercriminals becoming more sophisticated, public awareness is key to preventing such scams.

News Source : “Information for this article was gathered from a variety of reliable news outlets.”