Hyderabad Digital Arrest Scams: Two Victims Lose Over Rs 1.7 Crore to Fraudsters
In a shocking series of incidents, two residents of Hyderabad have fallen victim to sophisticated digital arrest fraud schemes, collectively losing over Rs 1.7 crore. The fraudsters impersonated law enforcement officials, using threats and elaborate deceptions to extort large sums of money from their targets.
First Case: Government Employee Loses Rs 1.33 Crore to Fake CBI Officials
A 58-year-old government employee from Bachupally, Hyderabad, was defrauded of Rs 1.33 crore after receiving a call on January 9 from an individual claiming to be a CBI officer. The caller accused the victim, an engineer by profession, of sending obscene photos to women, setting the stage for a prolonged scam.
The next day, the same caller connected the victim to others who posed as senior CBI officers. They alleged that a Canara Bank debit card seized during a raid in Mumbai linked him to a Rs 3 crore human trafficking and money-laundering racket. Threatening immediate arrest, the fraudsters coerced the victim into undergoing a 'digital verification' of his finances to prove his innocence.
Following their instructions, between January 17 and March 10, the victim transferred over Rs 1.3 crore to different bank accounts in eight separate transactions. "In the name of national security, they kept a constant watch on me by calling me every two hours. They asked me to continuously share my location and even made WhatsApp video calls with a backdrop resembling a CBI office," the victim told police.
When the fraudsters failed to return his money after a month and ceased all communication, the victim approached the Cyberabad police on Thursday. A case has been registered under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and the Information Technology (IT) Act.
Second Case: Retired Employee Defrauded of Rs 46 Lakh by Fake Police
In a separate incident, a 78-year-old retired private employee from Secunderabad received a call on February 22 from a fraudster claiming to be from the Delhi police's crime branch. The caller alleged that the victim's bank and Aadhaar details were linked to a money-laundering racket, presenting fake Supreme Court orders, as well as forged Enforcement Directorate (ED) and Interpol notices to bolster the claim.
"On the video call, they showed me a fake setting resembling a police office and a courtroom. One person even posed as a judge," the victim recounted. Under duress, the victim liquidated his fixed deposits and transferred over Rs 46 lakh between February 27 and March 3 in three transactions.
The fraud came to light in the first week of April when the victim visited his bank and discussed the transactions with officials. Based on his complaint, the Hyderabad cybercrime police registered a case under relevant sections of the BNS and the IT Act on Thursday.
Rising Threat of Digital Arrest Fraud in India
These cases highlight a growing trend of digital arrest fraud in India, where scammers exploit fear and impersonate authority figures to extract money. Key tactics include:
- Using fake identities as CBI, police, or other law enforcement officials.
- Creating elaborate scenarios with forged documents and video calls to appear legitimate.
- Threatening victims with arrest or legal action to pressure them into compliance.
- Instructing victims to transfer funds under the guise of 'verification' or 'security' measures.
Authorities urge the public to remain vigilant and verify any unsolicited calls claiming to be from government agencies. Always contact official channels directly to confirm such claims before taking any financial actions.
