A 74-year-old retired government official from Pune fell victim to a sophisticated 'digital arrest' scam, losing a staggering Rs 17.43 lakh to fraudsters posing as anti-terrorism police. The incident, which occurred in July last year, highlights the evolving threats in cyber crime targeting senior citizens.
The Elaborate Con: A Call from 'Pahalgam Police'
On July 7 last year, the retired official, a resident of Manikbaug near Sinhagad Road, received a call from an unknown number. The caller boldly introduced himself as an officer from the anti-terrorist squad (ATS) of Pahalgam police in Jammu and Kashmir. The fraudster presented a terrifying narrative, claiming that during an investigation, they had discovered a transfer of Rs 50,000 from terrorists into the victim's bank account.
When the senior citizen denied any knowledge of such a transaction, the scammer doubled down. He shared fabricated documents and threatened the victim with imminent arrest if he did not cooperate. This tactic, known as 'digital arrest,' uses fear and authority to manipulate victims into compliance.
Pressure Tactics and the Transfer of Funds
The fraudsters then escalated their scheme. They demanded the victim's bank details under the guise of a 'verification process.' The con artists claimed they needed to temporarily deposit his bank balance with them for examination, after which it would be safely returned. To add legitimacy and intensify pressure, they even conducted video calls, appearing in what seemed to be police uniforms.
Fearing legal trouble, the victim visited his banks. He proceeded to transfer a total of Rs 17.43 lakh from his two accounts to a bank account provided by the scammers. The red flag finally appeared when, not satisfied with his savings, the criminals began inquiring about his fixed deposits (FDs). This suspicious demand prompted the retiree to finally approach the authorities.
Police Investigation and Ongoing Probe
The victim filed a complaint application with the Pune cyber police immediately in July itself. After months of preliminary inquiries, a formal case was registered at the Sinhagad Road police station this week.
An officer involved in the investigation revealed that the trail of the stolen money led to a private bank account in Churchgate, Mumbai. "Our investigations are on," the officer stated, confirming that the probe is active and focused on tracing the individuals behind the account and the complex web of the scam.
This case serves as a critical warning, especially for the elderly. Cyber criminals are increasingly using sophisticated social engineering techniques, impersonating law enforcement to create panic. Citizens are advised to never share personal or banking details over unsolicited calls and to directly verify any such claims with local police stations.
