In a dramatic intervention, the combined alertness of bank employees and prompt police response prevented a massive cyber fraud attempt targeting a retired schoolteacher of nearly Rs 2 crore in Prayagraj. The 65-year-old woman was allegedly held under "digital arrest" for three days by criminals posing as senior officials.
The Elaborate Scam and Psychological Pressure
The incident unfolded on December 26 when the retired teacher, a resident of Civil Lines living alone after her husband's death, received a call from fraudsters. They claimed a bank account linked to her Aadhaar number was involved in suspicious transactions worth crores of rupees. To instill deep fear, the con artists impersonated high-ranking officials and invoked the names of the Enforcement Directorate and the Supreme Court, threatening her with immediate arrest if she did not cooperate.
Under intense and continuous psychological pressure, the elderly woman remained in constant contact with the fraudsters until December 28. Following their instructions, she visited the Punjab National Bank (PNB) branch in Civil Lines on Tuesday. There, she requested the premature closure of her fixed deposits worth Rs 1.2 crore to transfer the funds to another account. Simultaneously, she submitted an application at Canara Bank to transfer an additional Rs 80 lakh via RTGS, bringing the total targeted amount to nearly Rs 2 crore.
How Vigilant Bank Staff Spotted the Red Flags
The scam began to unravel due to the observant nature of the bank officials. Employees Neetu Singh and Priya noticed the woman's evident anxiety and the unusual urgency surrounding the large financial transaction. When questioned, she cited a property purchase as the reason for breaking the FD. However, her mobile phone ringing incessantly and her persistent insistence on an immediate transfer raised serious doubts.
Acting swiftly, the staff alerted their branch manager, Vipin Kumar, who immediately informed the cybercrime police. This crucial step set the stage for the intervention that would save the woman's life savings.
Swift Police Action and Investigation
A police team, led by Cybercrime Inspector Om Narayan Gautam, rushed to the bank. With the help of bank staff, they questioned the woman in detail. To verify her situation, the police also contacted her son over the phone and gathered information from her neighbours.
The preliminary investigation revealed a critical detail: the beneficiary account where the money was to be sent had been opened only on October 25, a clear indicator of fraudulent intent. To secure the funds, the police immediately froze the retired teacher's bank account, preventing any unauthorized withdrawal.
A Major Fraud Prevented
Confirming the incident, ACP (Cybercrime) Rajkumar Meena stated that cybercriminals attempted to cheat the woman by frightening her with false allegations. He emphasized that the fraud was successfully thwarted solely due to the vigilance of the bank personnel and the prompt action of the police. Further legal proceedings in the case are ongoing.
This case highlights a growing trend of "digital arrest" scams targeting vulnerable, elderly individuals living alone. It also serves as a powerful reminder of how institutional alertness and coordinated action can form a robust defense against sophisticated cybercrime.
