78-year-old Bengaluru woman loses ₹38L in digital arrest scam
What's the story
A 78-year-old woman from Indiranagar in Bengaluru, has been duped of ₹38 lakh in a sophisticated "digital arrest scam." The incident highlights the growing trend of cyber fraudsters using fear tactics and impersonation to cheat unsuspecting victims. The victim received a call on March 11 from the scammers posing as officials from the National Investigation Agency (NIA). They falsely claimed her documents were linked to money laundering and pornography cases.
Fraud tactics
Scammers kept victim on video call for hours
The scammers impersonated NIA officials and accused the victim of being involved in money laundering and pornography cases. They claimed that a bank account in her name had been used to fund terror activities. The fraudsters kept her on a WhatsApp video call for hours, threatening with immediate arrest if she spoke to anyone for 72 hours. Under pressure, she transferred ₹38 lakh via RTGS to an account provided by the fraudsters, believing it was part of an "RBI verification."
Awareness
No law enforcement agency conducts investigations via video calls
In light of the repetitive nature of such scams, police authorities have warned that no law enforcement agency in India conducts investigations via video calls or asks the citizens to transfer funds for investigative purposes. The case highlights the need for public awareness about these types of frauds and the importance of verifying identities before taking any action on such calls.
Scam pattern
Understanding digital arrest scams
Digital arrest scams typically involve fraudsters posing as officers from national agencies like the CBI or NIA. They falsely claim that the victims' accounts are linked to criminal activities such as terror-related or drug-related offenses. The victims are then forced to stay on calls for hours, isolated from their families, and pressured into transferring funds for security checks/verification.
Prevention tips
How to protect yourself from such scams
To avoid falling victim to such scams, never panic or transfer any funds during a claimed investigation on a phone/video call. Always contact your nearest police station for clarification before acting on any instructions. If someone threatens you with arrest over a call/video call, disconnect the call and report it to the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal. Keep your family informed before proceeding with bank-related transactions in such situations.