Odisha Police Nab Tirupati Man in Sophisticated Digital Arrest Scam Targeting Elderly Couple
In a significant breakthrough against cyber criminals, Odisha police have arrested a 39-year-old man from Tirupati for allegedly orchestrating a sophisticated digital arrest scam that terrorized an elderly woman for over 10 days and extorted a staggering Rs 30 lakh from her. The accused, identified as Gulipagi Chiranjeevi, along with his associates, employed elaborate impersonation tactics to instill fear and manipulate their vulnerable victim.
Elaborate Impersonation Scheme Unfolds
The disturbing crime began on November 6, 2025, when the 70-year-old woman, who resides with her 77-year-old husband in Bhubaneswar, received a call around 2:20 pm. The caller claimed to be from the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) and falsely alleged that her SIM card was linked to illegal activities. Before she could process this information, another individual joined the call, introducing himself as an officer from Colaba police station in Mumbai.
This second fraudster sent fabricated documents to the woman's instant messaging account, reinforcing the baseless claim of her involvement in unlawful activities. The coordinated deception was designed to create an atmosphere of immediate threat and legal jeopardy.
Digital Arrest Declared and Financial Demands Made
The situation escalated when the woman received a video call from yet another fraudster posing as an Enforcement Directorate (ED) officer. This individual delivered the chilling declaration that she was under digital arrest and instructed her not to leave her home. Exploiting her mounting fear, he falsely claimed that an arrest warrant had been issued against her for money laundering.
A police officer involved in the investigation revealed: "The caller insisted that her bank accounts required auditing as part of the investigation and demanded a security deposit of Rs 30 lakh, assuring her that the amount would be refunded after the audit." This fabricated narrative created a false sense of procedural legitimacy while masking the criminal extortion.
Substantial Financial Losses Incurred
Terrified by the persistent threats and believing the official impersonations, the elderly couple complied with the demands. They reportedly transferred funds in multiple installments:
- Rs 10 lakh on November 7
- Rs 3.5 lakh on November 10
- Rs 9.5 lakh on November 14
- Rs 7 lakh on November 15
The police officer confirmed: "They were put under digital arrest from November 6 to 15. The money was transferred to the accounts of Chiranjeevi and two others." This extended period of psychological manipulation left the couple both emotionally shaken and financially drained.
Police Investigation and Public Warning
After enduring this traumatic experience, the couple finally lodged a formal complaint with the cyber police station in Bhubaneswar on November 18. The investigation led to the arrest of Gulipagi Chiranjeevi, while efforts continue to identify and apprehend other members of the criminal racket involved in this elaborate fraud.
Odisha police have issued a crucial public advisory in light of this case, urging citizens to remain vigilant against such impersonation scams. Authorities emphasized that no legitimate government agency conducts investigations in this manner or demands money transfers under the guise of audits. This case highlights the growing sophistication of cyber criminals who specifically target vulnerable demographics through psychological manipulation and false authority claims.
