In a shocking case of cyber fraud, a 69-year-old retired resident of Pune was swindled out of a staggering Rs 1 crore last month. The elaborate con involved criminals impersonating law enforcement officers who placed the victim under a so-called 'digital arrest' and threatened him with serious charges including terrorism and links to the banned Popular Front of India (PFI).
The Anatomy of a Rs 1 Crore Swindle
The nightmare began in the first week of December when the senior citizen received a call from a man claiming to be an officer with the Mumbai Police. The caller started by asking for the complainant's Aadhaar card number. He then delivered a terrifying allegation: the retiree's name was flagged in 20 criminal cases, including trading weapons for terrorist organisations and having associations with the PFI, which is under investigation by the National Investigation Agency (NIA).
The fraudsters warned the man that he was facing a seven-year imprisonment. When the victim denied the accusations, the callers escalated the threat, claiming he was also implicated in a money laundering case being probed by the Enforcement Directorate (ED). To clear his name, they said, he would be placed under 'digital arrest' and needed to cooperate fully.
Four Transactions to Mule Accounts Across India
Under this fabricated legal pressure, the elderly man was coerced into sharing his personal and financial details. The impostors, posing as authorities, directed him to transfer his life savings to specific 'government accounts' for verification purposes, promising a swift refund once the process was complete.
Believing the threats were real, the complainant made four large bank transfers totalling Rs 1 crore. The money was sent to mule accounts located in Bhiwandi (Mumbai), Coimbatore (Tamil Nadu), Mahasamund (Chhattisgarh), and Chandigarh. It was only when the promised refund never materialised and the fraudsters had the audacity to demand an additional Rs 95 lakh that the victim's suspicion was finally aroused. He then approached the Cyber Crime police station in Pune city, which registered a First Information Report (FIR) earlier this week.
Persistent Threat of Digital Kidnapping and Impersonation
This case highlights a disturbing and persistent trend in cybercrime, despite widespread awareness campaigns. Officials express deep concern over the continuing prevalence of 'digital arrest' scams, online extortion, and blackmail. Criminals are using sophisticated social engineering tactics, preying on the fear and vulnerabilities of citizens.
These syndicates often operate through sophisticated cross-border networks, using layers of mule accounts within India to channel stolen funds before moving them overseas, frequently via cryptocurrency. The modus operandi involves impersonating officials from a range of authoritative bodies, including:
- Police departments
- Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI)
- Narcotics control agencies
- Reserve Bank of India (RBI)
- Enforcement Directorate (ED)
- Even high court and Supreme Court judges
The issue has gained national attention, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi himself addressing the menace of such cyber frauds in his Mann Ki Baat address. The Pune case serves as a stark reminder for the public, especially senior citizens, to remain vigilant. One must verify the credentials of any unknown caller making serious legal claims and never share personal or financial information or transfer money under pressure.
