Retired Official Held in 11-Day Digital Arrest, Loses Rs 16 Lakh to ED Impersonators
In a shocking case of cyber fraud, a retired government employee in Lucknow was subjected to an 11-day digital arrest by criminals impersonating Enforcement Directorate (ED) officials, resulting in a loss of Rs 16 lakh. The incident, which came to light on Sunday, has prompted police to issue warnings about this growing scam trend.
How the Digital Arrest Unfolded
Puran Ram, a resident of Sadrauna in the Para area, reported to the Cyber Crime Police Station that on February 27, he received a call from an unknown number. The caller identified himself as Inspector Ranjeet Yadav and claimed that ED officer Prem Kumar Gautam needed to speak with him about a serious matter. Shortly after, another man, posing as Prem Kumar Gautam, contacted Ram via a WhatsApp video call.
During the call, the fraudster accused Ram of involvement in a money laundering case and threatened him with immediate arrest and jail time. To avoid this, Ram was instructed to cooperate with the investigation by remaining isolated in a room and staying available for calls. He complied, confining himself for 11 days as part of the supposed probe.
Financial Extortion and Deception
During the digital confinement, the scammers asked Ram to share copies of his and his wife's Aadhaar cards. They then alleged that his wife's bank account had been used for suspicious transactions and requested details of all family bank accounts for verification purposes. The fraudsters provided a bank account number and directed Ram to transfer money into it.
On March 6, Ram transferred Rs 10 lakh from his own account via RTGS. Three days later, on March 9, he transferred an additional Rs 6 lakh from his wife's account. After receiving the total of Rs 16 lakh, the criminals continued to demand more funds, which raised Ram's suspicions. He disconnected the call and promptly approached the Cyber Crime Police Station to file a complaint.
Police Investigation and Warnings
Cyber Crime Inspector Brijesh Yadav stated that the mobile numbers used by the accused are under examination, and efforts are underway to trace the fraudsters. Police have also contacted the relevant bank in an attempt to freeze the transferred amount. An FIR has been registered at the Cyber Crime Police Station.
Authorities have reiterated warnings to citizens about the rising trend of digital arrest scams, where criminals impersonate officials from agencies like the ED, CBI, or police to threaten victims with arrest and extort money. This case highlights the need for public vigilance against such sophisticated cyber fraud tactics.
