In a shocking case of cyber fraud, a 72-year-old retired government employee from Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh, was held under a "digital arrest" for three consecutive days and extorted of a staggering Rs 21.5 lakh by criminals impersonating officers from the Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS). The Jabalpur Police revealed the details of this sophisticated scam on Saturday, December 7.
The Elaborate Scam and "Digital Arrest"
The victim, identified as Avinash Chandra from Napier Town, received a phone call on December 1 from a man claiming to be an ATS officer based in Pune. The caller alleged that Chandra's bank account and Aadhaar number had been misused in terror funding activities, creating immediate panic.
To add credibility to their threat, the fraudsters sent fabricated official-looking documents to Chandra via WhatsApp. They then issued a severe ultimatum: cooperate or face the arrest of both him and his son, along with the seizure of their property. What followed was a harrowing 72-hour ordeal of "digital arrest."
The accused forced Chandra to remain on a video call daily from 9 am to 7 pm, effectively monitoring his every move and isolating him from contacting family, friends, or real authorities. This constant surveillance and psychological pressure left the senior citizen with no recourse but to comply with their demands.
The Financial Drain and False Promises
Under duress, the victim was coerced into transferring his life savings. The fraudsters provided him with specific bank account numbers and instructed him to make the transfers in three separate instalments. To further manipulate him, they assured that the money was being held "temporarily" for verification and would be refunded in full within six days—a promise that was, of course, never intended to be kept.
It was only after the three-day period ended and the fraudsters cut contact that Chandra realized the magnitude of the deception. He subsequently approached the Jabalpur Police and filed a formal complaint, leading to the registration of a case. The police are now investigating the digital trail, including the phone numbers, WhatsApp details, and bank accounts used in the crime.
A Growing Menace: Protecting Against Digital Fraud
This incident highlights the alarming rise in cyber crimes targeting senior citizens across India, using fear and impersonation of government officials as primary tools. The term "digital arrest" has become a new modus operandi where victims are psychologically imprisoned and extorted remotely.
Police authorities urge the public, especially elderly individuals, to be vigilant. They advise verifying the identity of any official caller independently through known government helplines, never sharing personal or financial details over unsolicited calls, and immediately contacting local police if any suspicious demand for money is made under the guise of legal action. The Jabalpur Police's investigation into this Rs 21.5 lakh scam continues.
