A 58-year-old woman from Coimbatore was allegedly duped of Rs 18 lakh by cyber fraudsters who kept her under a fake “digital arrest” for 18 days by posing as police officers.
According to police, the victim, a resident of Vadavalli, had been living with her daughter in Chennai since the death of her husband, a former bank official, during the COVID-19 pandemic. She had recently travelled to her house in Coimbatore and was staying alone when she received a phone call on April 25 from a man claiming to be a Mumbai police officer.
The caller allegedly informed her that more than Rs 2.5 crore linked to terrorist organisations had been transferred through her bank account. He then claimed that she was under “digital arrest” and warned her not to leave her home or contact anyone. The fraudsters further threatened that undercover police personnel were monitoring her movements and that any attempt to step outside would result in her immediate arrest.
Fearing legal action, the woman remained confined inside her house and cut off communication with others for nearly 18 days. During this period, the scammers reportedly maintained constant contact with her and subjected her to psychological pressure.
After gaining her trust, the fraudsters demanded details of her finances. When the woman insisted that she was innocent and disclosed that she had only Rs 18 lakh remaining in her savings, they allegedly instructed her to transfer the entire amount to a designated bank account for what they described as a “government audit”. They assured her that the money would be verified and returned within a few days.
Believing the claims, the woman transferred the full amount in two transactions. However, when the money was not returned even after a week, she realised she had been cheated. Police said the amount represented the retirement and terminal benefits she had received following her husband’s death.
The victim subsequently approached the Coimbatore City Cyber Crime Police and lodged a complaint. A case has been registered, and an investigation is underway to trace the accused and recover the lost funds.
