Hyderabad: A 72-year-old retired private sector employee from Malkajgiri was allegedly duped of more than ₹53 lakh in a “digital arrest” scam that lasted nearly 10 days, police said.
According to investigators, the fraud began March 17 when the victim received a call from a person posing as an official from the Data Protection Board of India. The caller claimed the victim’s Aadhaar details were linked to a mobile number used to send objectionable messages.
The call was then transferred to another individual impersonating a sub-inspector from Colaba Police in Maharashtra. The fraudster recorded the victim’s statement over a video call and alleged that his identity was being misused in multiple cases.
To escalate pressure, the accused sent a fabricated Supreme Court notice accusing the victim of involvement in a ₹2 crore loan fraud.
Police said the victim was coerced into sharing personal and banking details under the pretext of “verifying” his identity. He was also instructed to send updates every two hours via WhatsApp, effectively isolating him.
The fraudsters further sent forged documents, including a fake FIR, bank records and a purported RBI letter, to make the claims appear legitimate.
Fearing legal consequences, the victim transferred ₹53 lakh to accounts provided by the accused. He later realised he had been cheated and filed a complaint with the Malkajgiri cybercrime police. A case has been registered and an investigation is underway.
Authorities said such “digital arrest” scams are on the rise, often targeting elderly individuals through intimidation and psychological manipulation.
Officials reiterated that no law enforcement agency conducts investigations over phone or video calls or demands money to settle cases, urging citizens to verify claims and report suspicious calls immediately.
