Kolkata Woman Defrauded of Over Rs 1 Crore in Prolonged Digital Arrest Scam
In a shocking incident highlighting the growing threat of online fraud, a 74-year-old resident of Palm Avenue in the Karaya area of Kolkata has become a victim of the city's longest recorded "digital arrest" scam. The elderly woman was held under "virtual custody" by fraudsters for an alarming 32 days, during which they allegedly siphoned off more than Rs 1 crore from her accounts. This case underscores a disturbing trend of cybercriminals exploiting the vulnerability of senior citizens through sophisticated impersonation tactics.
Scammers Pose as Federal Investigators to Target Isolated Victim
The septuagenarian's ordeal began on February 27 when she received WhatsApp calls from individuals claiming to represent federal agencies such as the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). They falsely alleged that her name had been implicated in a large-scale money laundering investigation, creating a sense of urgency and fear. To lend credibility to their scheme, the fraudsters moved the interaction to a video call, where one individual appeared in a police uniform, seated in a room meticulously designed to resemble an official government cabin.
The perpetrators maintained constant pressure on the victim, instructing her to communicate with this "officer" on an hourly basis. She was informed that she was under "digital arrest" and strictly forbidden from disclosing the matter to anyone, including her own son. For over a month, the scammers enforced a relentless 24-hour surveillance regime, both online and offline. They deceitfully claimed that a surveillance team was stationed outside her residence and that she was being followed whenever she ventured out, intensifying her isolation and compliance.
Exploitation of Trust and Fear Leads to Financial Drain
According to a senior police official, the fraudsters cunningly exploited the victim's solitary living situation, convincing her that any failure to cooperate would result in the immediate arrest of both her and her son. Under this duress, she was directed to visit multiple banks to initiate nine separate Real Time Gross Settlement (RTGS) transfers to various accounts provided by the criminal gang. The scam only unraveled in early April when the victim's son, upon returning to the city, noticed her deteriorating emotional state and persuaded her to confide in him, leading the family to approach the Kolkata Police.
Surge in Online Fraud Cases Targets Senior Citizens
This incident marks the fourth major case reported to the Kolkata Police within a mere 48-hour period, with the city collectively losing over Rs 2.2 crore to online predators during this time. Other victims have been reported from areas such as Sovabazar and Picnic Garden, indicating a widespread and coordinated attack by interstate gangs. A senior officer from the divisional cell noted that scammers are capitalizing on the current administrative focus on election polls, creating a vacuum in public awareness campaigns that has allowed these criminal networks to re-penetrate Kolkata's digital landscape and target the most vulnerable populations.
Police sources have highlighted a particularly alarming trend: almost all recent victims are senior citizens. Authorities attribute this to a combination of "generational trust in authority" and digital isolation, which makes older individuals more susceptible to such sophisticated scams. In response, the Kolkata Police have issued a fresh alert, emphatically reminding citizens that no legitimate law enforcement agency will ever demand money over a video call to clear a name in a criminal case. They urge the public, especially elderly residents, to remain vigilant and report any suspicious communications immediately.
