Mumbai Senior Citizen Loses ₹1.64 Crore in Digital Arrest Scam, Mistakes Real Police for Fake Officers
Mumbai: A senior citizen in Mumbai lost ₹1.64 crore after falling victim to a digital arrest scam, where fraudsters allegedly convinced him that he was under investigation and posing as police officials. In a shocking turn of events, the victim even refused to open his door when genuine cyber police officers arrived to help him.
According to reports, the South Cyber Police received information that the elderly man had transferred ₹1.64 crore in several instalments to multiple bank accounts between June 8 and July 25. Suspecting that he was still under the influence of the scammers and might make further payments, a team of cyber police officers rushed to his residence.
However, the fraudsters had already gained such control over the victim that he believed the real police officers outside his home were imposters. Instead of allowing the officers inside, he reportedly shut the door and immediately contacted the scammers through a WhatsApp video call.
The fraudsters allegedly assured him that they were the “real authorities” and falsely claimed that the police team outside his house was trying to deceive him.
A police officer from the South Cyber Police Station said that despite repeated attempts, the victim initially refused to open the door.
To convince him, the cyber police sought help from the local police station and members of the housing society. Uniformed officers, society members and another cyber fraud victim explained the situation and helped him understand that he had been cheated.
Only after several people intervened did the elderly man realise that he had fallen prey to a cyber scam and allowed the police team inside his home.
Police have registered a case against unidentified accused under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). Investigators are now tracing the money trail through bank transactions to identify the fraudsters involved.
Cyber officials have repeatedly warned people against digital arrest scams, where criminals impersonate police, government officials or investigative agencies to create fear and force victims into transferring money.
News source: Information for this article was gathered from a variety of reliable news outlets
