A resident of Bengaluru was swindled out of 1.77 crores in a digital arrest scam. Here's the rundown of the events.
In a chilling reminder of the growing threat of cybercrime, an 81-year-old retired man from Bengaluru has lost a staggering Rs 1.77 crore in a digital arrest scam. The victim, a resident of Sadananda Nagar (NGEF Layout), filed a complaint with the East CEN police on July 23, after realizing he had been scammed.
The scam began on July 5 with a call claiming to be from "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 fake arrest warrants via WhatsApp.
Over several days, the victim was tricked into transferring the large sum of money, believing he was cooperating with law enforcement. The scammers convinced him to transfer money to "secure government accounts" as part of the investigation, promising the funds would be returned once the probe was complete.
The investigation into the digital arrest scam is currently ongoing, and a case has been registered under various sections of the IT Act and the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. The police have urged the public to be cautious and not transfer money based on phone call threats, even if they seem official.
Digital arrest scams, like the one experienced by the Bengaluru resident, often involve impersonation of government or law enforcement officials, instilling fear to extort money from victims. Scammers may show fake identification cards or manipulated videos to enhance their credibility. They trigger fear and urgency by claiming the victim is involved in serious crimes, sometimes linking the victim’s identity documents to illegal activities to make threats more believable.
Victims are forced to stay on video or phone calls for hours or even days, advised not to contact anyone else, and sometimes asked to show their surroundings on video to prove they are not fleeing. Emotional manipulation and extortion are common tactics, with scammers coercing victims into transferring large sums of money through various means to "clear" their name or "settle" the case.
The police have not confirmed if the recent scam is connected to the Jet Airways founder Naresh Goyal's case. However, it serves as a stark reminder for the public to be vigilant and aware of potential scams, especially those involving impersonation of law enforcement officials. It is always advised to verify through official sources before transferring money.
References:
- TechTarget
- CyberScamWarning
- The Economic Times
- The Hindu
- The Times of India
- The digital arrest scam experienced by the Bengaluru resident highlights the need for enhanced cybersecurity measures, particularly when using smartphones for financial transactions, as technology continues to play a significant role in general-news and crime-and-justice sectors.
- In the wake of increasing instances of digital arrest scams, it's crucial for the public to stay informed and wary, understanding that technology can pose threats, especially when impersonation of government or law enforcement officials is involved, as evidenced by the recent cybercrime incident reported in The Economic Times, The Hindu, and The Times of India.
