An 80-year-old gynaecologist in Rajkot was allegedly trapped in a four-day “digital arrest” scam after fraudsters posing as Mumbai Crime Branch officials threatened to implicate her in a money laundering case. She ended up transferring ₹58.5 lakh before bank officials intervened and alerted the cybercrime police.
The incident took place in Rajkot’s Jagannath area. The woman, who lives alone, reportedly received a call from people claiming that a SIM card registered in her name had been used for illegal activities.
The callers allegedly threatened her with arrest and imprisonment and sent her a WhatsApp link that compromised her phone. They also obtained details about her relatives and used the information to intensify the pressure.
Believing the threats, the doctor visited her bank and said she needed money to buy a plot for her son. She then transferred ₹58.5 lakh through RTGS to an account provided by the fraudsters.
The scammers allegedly demanded another ₹21.5 lakh the following day. However, bank employees became suspicious after noticing her nervous behaviour during the attempted transaction and alerted the cybercrime police.
A police team reached her home, explained that she was being targeted by fraudsters and stopped the second transfer. The police also contacted the national cybercrime helpline, 1930, to initiate steps to freeze the transferred funds.
The case highlights how scammers use fake police identities, threats of arrest and prolonged digital surveillance to manipulate victims, particularly elderly people living alone.
