Hyderabad: In a chilling case of cybercrime, a 44-year-old techie from Hyderabad narrowly escaped a sophisticated scam known as “digital arrest,” thanks to the timely intervention of police. For nearly 30 hours, the techie was held hostage by cybercriminals posing as Mumbai police officers, who threatened him with fake legal charges unless he paid ₹40 lakh.
How the Ordeal Unfolded
The victim’s nightmare began on October 25 night when he received text messages stating that his phone number and Aadhaar were linked to a money laundering case. Initially, he ignored the messages. However, the fraud escalated on October 26 at 3 a.m., when the criminals made voice and video calls via an instant messaging app, presenting fake FIRs and warrants to intimidate him.
Claiming to be Mumbai police officials, the fraudsters warned him of imminent arrest and instructed him to stay on the call without informing anyone, including his family. Frightened, the techie isolated himself in his room and revealed details of his savings and fixed deposits, totaling ₹25 lakh.
The fraudsters further coerced him into leaving his home in the Miyapur area and checking into a lodge in Ameerpet, about 15 km away, saying police were searching for him. Even during his journey, the scammers forced him to remain on the call, preventing him from disconnecting.
The Turning Point
The call from the scammers unexpectedly disconnected at 4 a.m. on October 27, allowing the techie to reach out to Hyderabad’s Cyber Crime Police. Constable M. Ganesh, who received the call, immediately recognized the scam and assured the techie of his safety.
To prevent the techie from making any drastic decisions, the constable stayed on the phone with him for an hour. He also contacted the victim’s neighbor, who went to the lodge and safely escorted him back home.
No Loss, No Complaint
Despite the harrowing experience, the techie decided not to lodge a formal complaint since he didn’t lose any money. The constable advised him to block the fraudsters’ numbers as they continued to call after their earlier call was dropped.
Rising Threat of ‘Digital Arrest’ Scams
The Computer Emergency Response Team of India (CERT-In) recently issued an advisory warning citizens about various online scams, including “digital arrest.” In such scams, fraudsters pretend to be law enforcement officials, claiming that victims are under investigation for crimes like identity theft or money laundering, often demanding large sums of money for “settlement.”
This incident serves as a reminder of the growing sophistication of online fraud and the importance of staying vigilant when receiving suspicious calls or messages.
