A 74-year-old retired man from Domlur in Bengaluru lost Rs 50 lakh in a sophisticated “digital arrest” scam after cyber fraudsters allegedly posed as officials and staged an elaborate fake investigation to intimidate him.
According to a complaint filed with the cybercrime police, the victim first received a phone call on March 5 at around 3:30 p.m. from a man claiming to be a telecom officer. The caller told him that his mobile number had been used in a money-laundering case and that he needed to cooperate with an official inquiry.
Soon after, the fraudsters contacted him through a WhatsApp video call and informed him that he was under “digital arrest.” They warned him not to discuss the matter with anyone and instructed him to remain connected with them continuously. To make the situation appear legitimate, the callers sent him a document titled “Financial Transaction Committee Order,” bearing what appeared to be the letterhead of the Supreme Court of India.
The scammers further claimed that the investigation was being conducted by an authority called the “Protection of Anti-Money Laundering Office of India.” They also told the victim that officers from the Central Bureau of Investigation in Navi Mumbai were monitoring the case and that field officers had been stationed near his residence to track his movements.
The pressure tactics intensified on the morning of March 7. At around 8:30 a.m., the victim told the callers that he needed to step out to buy blood pressure medication from a nearby pharmacy. The fraudsters immediately told him not to leave the house, claiming one of their men would deliver the medicine to him.
Within 10 minutes, a stranger arrived at his doorstep carrying the medicine. The unexpected visit convinced the victim that the callers were indeed keeping a close watch on him. However, he reportedly refused to accept the medicine from the man.
Later that morning, at around 10:30 a.m., the fraudsters directed him to join another WhatsApp video call, describing it as a “virtual court proceeding.” During the staged call, they showed him what they claimed was a court order stating that he had been acquitted in the case.
Soon after, the callers told the victim he needed to deposit Rs 50 lakh as part of the court’s directions. Frightened by the threats and convinced by the fake proceedings, the man transferred the money via RTGS to a bank account under the name “PAYNCARE TECHNOLOGIE.”
After completing the transfer, the victim began to suspect that something was wrong. He contacted his bank, which advised him to immediately call the cybercrime helpline 1930 and report the incident. He later approached the police and filed a formal complaint.
Police officials said the victim was alone at home during the incident, making it easier for the fraudsters to manipulate and frighten him. His son lives abroad, and his wife was visiting him at the time, leaving him without anyone nearby to discuss the situation.
A case has been registered at the Bengaluru East CEN police station under Sections 66C and 66D of the Information Technology Act, 2000, along with Sections 308 (extortion) and 318(4) (cheating) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.
Investigators say “digital arrest” scams are an emerging form of cyber fraud in which criminals impersonate law enforcement officials, use fake legal documents and create a sense of urgency or fear to pressure victims into transferring money. Police have launched an investigation into the case.
