Bollywood Star's Family Targeted in Sophisticated Cyber Fraud
Renowned actor Nagarjuna Akkineni has disclosed a shocking personal experience with the rapidly growing menace of digital arrest scams, revealing that one of his family members fell victim to this sophisticated cyber fraud approximately six months ago.
Speaking at a press conference alongside City Police Commissioner VC Sajjanar and other film personalities on Monday, the actor shared that his family member was held under digital arrest for two full days by fraudsters posing as authorities. The criminals quickly disappeared once police intervention began, highlighting the organized nature of these operations.
"I remember that in my own house, about six months ago, the same thing happened. One of my family members was digitally arrested for two days. These fraudulent organisations track us and try to find our weaknesses," Nagarjuna stated during the conference.
Bengaluru Woman's Six-Month Nightmare
In a separate but equally disturbing case, a 57-year-old software engineer from Bengaluru's Indiranagar area suffered what might be Karnataka's largest digital arrest scam, losing an astonishing ₹32 crore over an elaborate six-month period.
The victim, identified as Umarani, was targeted by scammers posing as CBI officials who subjected her to constant Skype surveillance in what authorities term a "digital arrest." Using threats of immediate arrest, the fraudsters coerced her into sharing all her financial details and making 187 separate bank transfers.
Her ordeal began on September 15, 2024, when she received a call from someone claiming to represent DHL Andheri. The caller alleged that a parcel booked in her name contained credit cards, passports, and MDMA, and that her identity had been compromised.
Psychological Manipulation and Constant Surveillance
Before Umarani could process the information, the call was transferred to individuals posing as CBI officers who immediately threatened her, claiming "all evidence is stacked against you." The impostors warned her against contacting local police, suggesting that criminals were monitoring her home.
Fearing for her family's safety and her son's upcoming wedding, the woman remained silent. She was instructed to install two Skype IDs and remain on video call constantly. A man identifying himself as Mohit Handa monitored her for two days, followed by Rahul Yadav, who watched her for an entire week.
Another impersonator, Pradeep Singh, posed as a senior CBI officer and pressured her to prove her innocence. The scammers appeared to be aware of her phone activity and location, intensifying her fear and compliance.
The fraudsters told her to verify all assets with the Financial Intelligence Unit of the RBI and produced forged letters to make the process appear legitimate.
Financial Drain and Health Consequences
Between September 24 and October 22, Umarani shared comprehensive details of her finances and transferred large sums of money. From October 24 to November 3, she paid a supposed surety amount of ₹2 crore, followed by subsequent payments labeled as "taxes."
The woman was promised a clearance letter before her son's engagement on December 6 and eventually received a fake document. The intense psychological pressure left her mentally and physically unwell, requiring a month of medical treatment to recover after the engagement.
Despite receiving the genuine-looking clearance letter on December 1, the scammers continued their demands for processing charges in December, repeatedly delaying promised refunds—first to February, then to March. All communication ceased on March 26, 2025. The victim waited until after her son's wedding in June to file a formal complaint.
The Growing Threat of Digital Arrest Scams
Digital arrest represents one of the fastest-growing forms of cybercrime in India, where scammers pose as law enforcement or government officials to intimidate victims through audio or video calls. They effectively hold victims captive electronically while extorting money through psychological manipulation.
These incidents highlight the urgent need for public awareness about such sophisticated cyber fraud schemes. Authorities recommend verifying any unexpected legal claims directly with official channels and never sharing financial information or remaining on video calls with unverified individuals claiming to be officials.
