In a shocking case of cyber fraud, a 73-year-old senior citizen from Chandigarh was swindled out of a staggering Rs 52 lakh after criminals subjected him to a fake 'digital arrest' for over two weeks. The elaborate scam involved video surveillance, a fabricated courtroom, and threats of imprisonment in a non-existent case.
The Anatomy of a 17-Day Digital Kidnapping
The ordeal for Shashi Kumar Sahai, a retired private-sector employee residing in Sector 45, began on October 27. He received a WhatsApp audio call from an individual pretending to be an official from the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI). The caller falsely alleged that Sahai's mobile number was implicated in serious money laundering activities.
Within minutes, the plot thickened. Another fraudster, identifying himself as Akash Gupta from the Enforcement Directorate (ED), joined the call. He warned Sahai that he was under active investigation for financial crimes and must cooperate fully to avoid immediate arrest.
Fake Courtrooms and Sustained Psychological Pressure
To make their threats appear legitimate, the cybercriminals deployed a sinister tactic. They displayed a fabricated courtroom scene over a video call, complete with actors posing as officials, to convince Sahai of the gravity of the 'case' filed against him at Mumbai's Colaba Police Station.
The scammers then placed the senior citizen under what they termed 'digital arrest.' From October 27 to November 12, they kept him under near-continuous video surveillance. This prolonged isolation from his family and the constant psychological pressure left Sahai terrified and compliant.
Acting under the fraudsters' instructions, Sahai made two large transfers from his accounts. He first transferred Rs 28 lakh to a State Bank of India account on October 31. Believing it was part of a mandatory verification process to clear his name, he followed up with a second transfer of Rs 24 lakh to an IndusInd Bank account on November 7.
Discovery and Police Action
The scam finally unraveled on November 13 when Sahai's son, Saurabh, discovered that his father had been held captive by unknown callers via video for 17 days. The family immediately recognized it as a sophisticated cyber fraud and approached the authorities.
A formal complaint was filed on the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal. In his statement, Sahai detailed the intense intimidation, mental harassment, and repeated arrest threats he endured. He has sought urgent assistance to recover the siphoned funds and for legal action against the perpetrators.
The Cyber Crime Cell of the Chandigarh Police has registered an FIR and initiated an investigation to trace the digital footprint of the criminals. Chandigarh DSP Cyber Crime A. Venkatesh has issued a strong advisory urging citizens to remain vigilant.
He cautioned the public to immediately report any suspicious calls from individuals claiming to represent government agencies like TRAI, ED, CBI, or the police. These scams often prey on fear and urgency, and no legitimate agency will demand money or personal details over unsolicited calls or threaten immediate arrest without due process.
