Thane: A 64-year-old resident of Maharashtra’s Thane district fell victim to a sophisticated “digital arrest” scam, losing nearly Rs 28 lakh after being subjected to days of intimidation and psychological pressure by fraudsters posing as police officials.
The incident took place in Kalyan West’s Ronak City, where the elderly man began receiving a series of WhatsApp video and audio calls between April 1 and April 7. The callers, often using international numbers, introduced themselves as law enforcement officers and claimed that his bank accounts were linked to serious offences, including money laundering and terrorist activities.
Gradually, the tone of the calls turned threatening. The fraudsters warned the man of imminent arrest and insisted that he cooperate with what they described as an ongoing investigation. They directed him to transfer money to specified bank accounts under the pretext of “verification” and “clearance.” According to a report by Deccan Herald, such scams are designed to create panic and exploit the victim’s fear of legal consequences.
Over the course of several days, the victim remained under constant surveillance through repeated calls, which reinforced the illusion of an official inquiry. Under mounting pressure and fear, he transferred a total of Rs 27.9 lakh to multiple accounts provided by the accused.
It was only after the communication abruptly stopped that the man realised he had been deceived. He subsequently approached the Khadakpada police station, where a case was registered earlier this week. Police officials said they are currently analysing call data records and tracing the bank accounts used in the fraud to identify the culprits.
The case highlights the growing menace of digital arrest scams, where fraudsters impersonate authorities to extort money. Officials have urged citizens to remain cautious and verify any such claims through official channels before taking action.
