A 78-year-old woman in Bengaluru was allegedly duped of ₹38 lakh in a “digital arrest” scam after fraudsters posing as officials used fear and intimidation to manipulate her, according to The Hindu.
The ordeal began on March 11, when she received a call from people claiming to be from the National Investigation Agency. They allegedly told her that her documents were linked to serious crimes, including money laundering and pornographic activities, and that her bank account was being used for illegal transactions.
She was then kept on a WhatsApp video call for several hours and warned not to contact anyone for 72 hours, with threats of immediate arrest if she disobeyed.
Under pressure, the woman transferred ₹38 lakh through RTGS, believing it was part of a verification process linked to the Reserve Bank of India, as claimed by the fraudsters.
Police said no agency conducts investigations through video calls or asks people to transfer money as part of an inquiry. They urged citizens to remain alert and verify such claims through official channels before taking any action.
Authorities have repeatedly warned the public against so-called “digital arrest” scams, in which fraudsters impersonate law enforcement or government officials to extort money.
Note for readers: If you receive such a call, do not panic. No genuine authority will ask you to remain isolated or transfer money during an investigation. Disconnect immediately, verify the claim through official channels, inform family members and report the matter to the police or cybercrime helpline
