In a distressing incident highlighting the rise of sophisticated cybercrime, a 72-year-old woman from Mulund, Mumbai, along with her husband, fell victim to a ruthless 'digital arrest' scam. The fraudsters, impersonating officers from the Mumbai Crime Branch, managed to extort a staggering Rs 32.8 lakh from the elderly couple by threatening them with arrest in a fabricated money-laundering case.
The Elaborate Con Begins With a Threatening Call
The ordeal for the senior citizen couple began on November 11. The woman's husband received a call from a man identifying himself as Sandeep Roy, who claimed to be an officer from the Crime Branch in Colaba. The caller alleged that a massive Rs 2.5 crore money-laundering transaction had been traced to one of the husband's bank accounts.
Despite the victim clarifying that he held no account with the mentioned bank, the so-called officer pressed for personal details of their family members. He sternly warned the couple not to discuss the call with anyone, instilling fear and isolating them.
Video Calls and Fake Uniforms Add to the Illusion
The scam escalated the very next morning. The couple received WhatsApp video calls from individuals dressed in what appeared to be police uniforms. These men, who introduced themselves as Jaiswal and Dilip, reiterated the false claims of being Crime Branch officials.
They issued severe threats of immediate arrest, creating a state of panic. Under this pressure, the terrified couple divulged sensitive financial information. The complainant revealed she had approximately Rs 37 lakh in her Union Bank of India account and also possessed gold jewellery in a bank locker.
The Final Blow: Transfer of Life Savings
Seizing the information, the fraudsters instructed the woman to transfer Rs 32.8 lakh to a specified bank account, which they claimed was part of the official inquiry. Believing this was the only way to avoid arrest, the couple visited their bank on November 13 and executed the transfer via RTGS.
To add a veneer of legitimacy, the scammers later sent a forged receipt purportedly from the 'Govt of India – Enforcement Directorate' via WhatsApp. Not content, they called again on November 14, directing the woman to remove her jewellery from the locker and deposit it elsewhere. It was at this point, when the bank manager grew suspicious and accompanied her home, that the plot began to unravel.
How the Scam Was Finally Uncovered
The final red flag emerged when the fraudsters called to claim that Rs 40.16 lakh had been deposited into the victim's account—a clear tactic to confuse or set up a further scam. Fortunately, the couple's son-in-law, who was present at their residence that evening, immediately recognized the signs of a fraud. He advised them to approach the police without delay.
The victim has since filed a formal complaint with the Central Cyber Police Station. The accused have been identified in the complaint as Sandeep Roy, Deepak Roy, and Deepak Jaiswal. This case is a stark reminder of the 'digital arrest' modus operandi where criminals use video calls and official-looking props to intimidate victims into compliance.
Authorities urge citizens, especially seniors, to be vigilant. Genuine law enforcement agencies never demand money over the phone or through video calls to settle cases or avoid arrest. Any such demand is a definitive sign of a scam.
