A resident of Bengaluru fell victim to a digital arrest scam, losing a considerable sum of 1.77 crores. Let's delve into the details.
In recent years, digital arrest scams have become increasingly prevalent in India, with a significant increase in reported cases between 2023 and 2025. These scams often involve fraudsters impersonating officials from agencies like the CBI, ED, or judiciary to falsely claim victims are under investigation for serious offenses, sometimes linking them to high-profile cases such as those involving Jet Airways founder Naresh Goyal.
A notable example occurred in 2025, where an elderly retired Colonel and his wife were duped of Rs 3.41 crore through a fake video call by fraudsters impersonating Enforcement Directorate officials, alleging an investigation related to Naresh Goyal. The scammers used fabricated documents and fake courtroom scenarios to pressure and isolate the victims over ten days until they transferred the money.
Recently, an 81-year-old retired man from Bengaluru lost Rs 1.77 crore in a similar digital arrest scam. The incident began with a call from someone claiming to be "Sandeep Jadhav," impersonating a police officer from Colaba police station in Mumbai. The scammers convinced the victim that he was under "digital arrest" and sent him fake arrest warrants via WhatsApp.
To prevent falling victim to such scams, experts and government agencies recommend several steps. First and foremost, verify the identity of any caller or person claiming to be a law enforcement officer by contacting official police or agency numbers directly instead of responding to unsolicited calls or messages. It is also important to avoid sharing personal, financial, or device access information with strangers or over insecure communication channels.
Indian authorities have enhanced coordination through bodies like the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C), Cyber Fraud Mitigation Centre, and initiatives involving banks and telecom providers to track and prevent such frauds. The public is encouraged to stay informed about scams through public awareness campaigns and to report suspicious calls and activities on government-run platforms like cybercrime.gov.in.
The police are currently conducting an investigation into the digital arrest scam in Bengaluru, and further updates on the investigation are expected in the coming days. The incident serves as an example of the growing digital arrest scam trend in India. To protect themselves, the public is urged to exercise caution, verify through official sources before making any financial transactions, and not transfer money based on phone call threats, even if they seem official.
- Owing to the increasing prevalence of digital arrest scams in India, particularly after 2023, it's essential for both technological advancements and general-news platforms to address the role of smartphones in facilitating these crimes.
- In light of the escalating cybersecurity risks presented by digital arrest scams, it's crucial for the justice system to collaborate with technology companies to develop and implement more robust protection mechanisms for crime-and-justice related information, safeguarding citizens from such frauds.
