A 58-year-old woman from Andheri East in Mumbai allegedly lost ₹8.75 lakh after cyber fraudsters kept her under a so-called “digital arrest” for four days by posing as government and police officials and threatening her with legal action.
According to police, the victim works as a Senior Manager at a private company in Vikhroli. The ordeal reportedly began on May 8 when she received a call from a man identifying himself as an official from the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI).
The caller allegedly claimed that an FIR had been filed against her and warned that her mobile number would be disconnected if she failed to appear at Colaba Police Station within two hours. When the woman said she was at work and unable to travel immediately, the caller reportedly suggested resolving the matter through a video call.
Soon after, she received a WhatsApp video call where a woman allegedly asked her to show her Aadhaar card for verification. The call was then transferred to another man who introduced himself as a police officer from Colaba Police Station.
The fraudsters allegedly told the victim that her Aadhaar details were linked to suspicious bank transactions connected to an ongoing investigation involving former Jet Airways chairman Naresh Goyal. They further claimed that she had been listed as one of several suspects in the case.
Police said the accused created panic by repeatedly threatening the woman with arrest and legal consequences. The victim was allegedly instructed to remain on continuous video calls, avoid speaking to family or colleagues, and not respond to phone calls or messages during the so-called investigation.
Investigators said the scammers used fear and isolation to obtain sensitive financial information, including details of her bank accounts, fixed deposits, PPF savings, and mutual fund investments. The accused also allegedly shared fake legal documents, including a forged arrest warrant and a fabricated Supreme Court order, to make their claims appear genuine.
On May 11, the fraudsters allegedly instructed the woman to liquidate and consolidate her funds into a single account for “verification purposes”. Fearing arrest, she reportedly transferred ₹8.75 lakh in two separate transactions after encashing deposits and moving money from multiple accounts.
The scam came to light two days later when the accused allegedly pressured her to transfer her PPF savings as well. Growing suspicious, the woman disconnected the call and contacted the national cybercrime helpline 1930.
The Park Site Police have registered a case of cyber fraud against unidentified accused who allegedly used names including Akash Agarwal, Vijay Khanna, Akash Khulari, and Suryakant, along with an unidentified woman.
Police officials said they are tracing the accused through mobile phone records, bank account details, and digital transaction trails.
Authorities have once again urged citizens to stay alert against “digital arrest” scams, stressing that no law enforcement agency or government department conducts investigations through video calls or asks people to transfer money for verification.
Reader’s Note: Citizens are advised to never share banking details, OTPs, Aadhaar information, or investment records over calls or video chats with unknown individuals. In case of suspicious calls claiming to be from police, CBI, TRAI, or other agencies, verify the information through official channels and immediately report cyber fraud to the national helpline 1930 or the cybercrime portal.
