London NRI Loses Over Rs 1 Crore in Terrifying Digital Arrest Scam During Gujarat Visit
An annual trip home turned into a nightmare for a London-based Non-Resident Indian. Manji Patel lost a staggering Rs 1.11 crore to cybercriminals who held him in a state of digital confinement for ten full days. The Bhuj Cybercrime police confirmed this distressing case.
The Deceptive Call That Started It All
Patel, who regularly visits India each December, arrived on December 2, 2025. While staying at his residence in Bhuj on December 29, his phone rang. An unknown woman informed him that a SIM card registered under his name was involved in illegal activities. She stated it would be blocked soon.
The caller then offered to transfer the call to the Colaba police station in Mumbai for further details. Patel agreed. A man claiming to be an officer from that station then demanded Patel appear there immediately. When Patel explained he was in Bhuj and ended the call, the harassment escalated quickly.
Escalation to Digital Confinement
Messages started flooding his WhatsApp from an unknown number pretending to be from the same police station. Soon, he was added to a WhatsApp group video call. Two individuals introduced themselves. One claimed to be 'Vijay Khanna' from Colaba police. The other posed as a Central Bureau of Investigation officer.
They presented a fabricated story. They alleged a SIM card and an ATM card in Patel's name were found in a major money laundering case. They insisted he was now a prime suspect under investigation.
The fraudsters applied intense psychological pressure. They demanded exhaustive details of all his assets. This included fixed deposits, bank accounts, and even information about his family members. Fearing the authorities, Patel complied and shared the sensitive information.
The Fake 'House Arrest' and Financial Drain
The scammers issued a severe warning. They told Patel he would face Supreme Court proceedings. To avoid this, they said he was being placed under 'house arrest.' They ordered him not to leave his home without court permission. Full cooperation was his only way to avoid physical arrest, they claimed.
Under this manufactured threat, the accused sent details for three different bank accounts. They instructed Patel to transfer money. Terrified of legal consequences, Patel obeyed. He made four separate transactions, moving approximately Rs 1.11 crore to the criminals.
Even during his visit to the bank to complete the transfers, the video call with the fraudsters remained active. This constant connection maintained unrelenting psychological pressure, ensuring his compliance.
The Ten-Day Ordeal and Eventual Realization
Patel remained trapped in this state of so-called 'digital arrest' from December 29 to January 7. The elaborate fraud only came to light after he finally spoke to his nephew, Vinod Patel. Vinod immediately recognized the signs of a sophisticated cyber scam and informed his uncle he had been cheated.
The Bhuj Cybercrime police have now launched a full investigation. Their efforts focus on tracing the accused individuals and the bank accounts used to receive the illicit funds. This case highlights the growing threat of complex online frauds targeting NRIs during their visits to India.
