In a shocking revelation of sophisticated cybercrime, Gujarat has witnessed a massive wave of 'digital arrest' scams in 2025, leading to a collective loss of nearly Rs 77 crore from nearly 500 complaints. The fraudsters, posing as officials from government agencies, are exploiting public fear and using psychological pressure to trap even highly educated professionals.
A Doctor's Ordeal: From a Phone Call to a Rs 19.3 Crore Loss
The scale of these scams is highlighted by the harrowing experience of a doctor from Gandhinagar. In March this year, she received a call that would unravel her financial security. The caller, pretending to be from the 'department of telecommunications', falsely alleged that her phone number was linked to a money-laundering case.
Initially skeptical, her doubts were soon overwhelmed by a barrage of follow-up calls and messages from individuals claiming to be 'officials of the Enforcement Directorate'. They cited serious violations under the Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA) and the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), demanding her full cooperation under a shroud of secrecy.
Once she was ensnared in their trap, the scamsters executed their plan. As detailed in her complaint to the state cybercrime cell, over the next three months, they systematically extracted a staggering Rs 19.3 crore from her. They compelled her to furnish details of all her assets and then forced her to liquidate them. The doctor was driven to:
- Break her fixed deposits.
- Sell her personal jewellery.
- Pledge gold stored in bank lockers.
- Even sell property to meet the fraudsters' demands.
To maintain the illusion of legitimacy, the criminals sent her fake acknowledgement letters complete with official-looking stamps and forged government department letterheads. Police investigations have so far traced Rs 1 crore to the account of a Surat resident.
The Anatomy of a Digital Arrest Scam
While the doctor's case represents an extreme financial loss, the modus operandi is consistent across complaints. In another instance, a 45-year-old woman from Ahmedabad's Walled City area was subjected to a 'digital arrest' over fabricated allegations of involvement in a drug deal. She was coerced into paying Rs 1.16 lakh in three transactions.
These scams prey on a common vulnerability: the public's inherent fear of authorities and complex legal procedures. The fraudsters create a high-pressure environment where the victim feels cornered and isolated.
Anxiety Paralysis: The Scammer's Weapon
A senior state police officer provided crucial insight into the psychological tactics employed. He noted that while many victims are senior citizens, a significant number are professionals and highly educated individuals who cannot be simply labeled as digitally illiterate.
"Where scamsters score is in causing what is understood as anxiety paralysis," the officer explained. "It stops one from thinking straight or rationally, and triggers a fight or flight response. The callers keep the victims busy and throw one detail after another – before the previous information can be processed."
This relentless, overwhelming stream of threats and official-sounding jargon prevents the victim from pausing to verify the claims or consult family members.
Protection and Prevention: The Key is to Disengage
The police have a clear and simple piece of advice for the public to avoid falling prey to such elaborate cons. The senior officer emphasized that the key is to disengage right at the beginning before the situation spirals out of control.
Citizens must remember that no government agency will demand immediate payments over the phone, ask for the liquidation of assets in secrecy, or conduct investigations solely through digital means without proper in-person verification. Hanging up the phone and independently contacting the local police or the official helpline number of the concerned department is the most effective first line of defense against these digital predators.
