Kolkata Senior Citizen Defrauded of Rs 49 Lakh in Sophisticated Digital Arrest Scam
A 69-year-old retired senior executive from New Town, Kolkata, has lost a staggering Rs 49 lakh to fraudsters who impersonated Central Bureau of Investigation officers. The elaborate scam involved placing the victim under what the criminals termed a "digital arrest" through continuous WhatsApp video calls.
Three Days of Virtual Confinement and Threats
The retired general manager of a public sector steel company approached the Bidhannagar cyber crime police station on Saturday. He reported being virtually confined to his home between January 14 and January 16 through repeated video calls from individuals using multiple mobile numbers.
These callers claimed to be officials from both the CBI and the Enforcement Directorate. They presented a fabricated criminal case against the victim, alleging his connection to Sadakat Khan, an individual arrested last year in connection with an international human trafficking racket operating from Cambodia.
Forged Documents and Escalating Intimidation
To make their threats appear legitimate, the fraudsters shared forged court documents with the victim. These included a fake arrest warrant. The intimidation escalated further when the man received a fabricated notice allegedly issued by the Enforcement Directorate.
This notice again accused him of involvement with Khan's activities. The scammers claimed a bank account had been opened in the victim's name at a nationalised bank in Mumbai and was being operated by Khan. They accused him of:
- Receiving illicit funds
- Misusing his PAN card
- Abetting criminal activities
The "Digital Arrest" and Rs 50 Lakh Demand
Soon after, callers posing as officials from the ED and the Reserve Bank of India informed the victim he was officially placed under "digital arrest." They warned him that he faced imminent imprisonment unless he complied with their instructions.
"They informed me that to settle this case they needed to check my account balance," the victim stated in his complaint. "On Jan 16, they informed me I needed to deposit Rs 50 lakh within two hours, else my life would be at stake. I got scared and withdrew my money. I did not even inform my wife and made the payment."
The fraudsters assured him the amount would be returned within 30 minutes after verification. When the money did not come back, the retired executive grew suspicious. He contacted a friend who immediately alerted him that he had been duped.
Cross-Border Scam Operations Continue Despite Awareness
Despite repeated awareness campaigns by authorities, incidents of digital arrest, online extortion, and blackmail continue to be reported across India. A senior officer from Bidhannagar city police explained the complexity of these operations.
"Many such scams are operated by cross-border syndicates," the officer said. "They route stolen money through multiple mule accounts within India before siphoning it abroad to hubs in Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam, and China. These criminals often use cryptocurrency to mask the financial trail."
This case highlights how sophisticated online fraud schemes are becoming, targeting vulnerable individuals with convincing official impersonations and psychological pressure tactics.
