Digital Arrest fraud: Scammers use Pahalgam attack to dupe Humayun Nagar senior citizen of Rs 26 lakh
The victim received a phone call from a fraudster who claimed to be an official from the Anti-Terrorist Squad (ATS)
By - Newsmeter Network
Hyderabad: A 68-year-old resident of Humayun Nagar, has been cheated of Rs 26.06 lakh by a group of cybercriminals impersonating high-ranking law enforcement and security officials.
The elaborate ‘digital arrest’ scam preyed on the victim’s fear of false accusations of money laundering and terrorism, particularly in connection with the Pahalgam attack.
Anatomy of the fraud
The victim received a phone call from a fraudster who claimed to be an official from the Anti-Terrorist Squad (ATS). The caller levelled a series of serious allegations, accusing the senior citizen of involvement in financial crimes and linking him to the recent Pahalgam attack in Kashmir.
Subsequent communication was conducted via WhatsApp video calls, during which the scammers, posing as officials from the National Investigation Agency (NIA) and even the DGP, displayed fake arrest warrants and fabricated documents to legitimise their claims.
Under extreme duress and believing he was under a ‘digital arrest,’ the victim was coerced into liquidating his financial assets.
He initially transferred Rs 6.06 lakh from his Kotak Mahindra and RBL bank accounts. The pressure didn’t stop there; the fraudsters then convinced him to transfer an additional Rs 20 lakh from his wife’s account.
All funds were directed to an account under the name of ‘Henry Jones.’ To further bolster their deception, they sent him a forged letter from the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), promising to ‘verify’ his innocence.
Discovery and public warning
The scammers insisted the victim keep the matter strictly confidential. However, his family grew suspicious of his distress and eventually learned of the crime. The victim immediately reported the incident to the Cyber Crime Helpline (1930).
The incident has prompted a public advisory from law enforcement and media outlets, warning citizens about this dangerous new trend in online fraud.
Public advisory
Police don't do digital arrests: Police and other law enforcement agencies never conduct arrests digitally or demand money to clear a person's name.
Watch for red flags: Be cautious of individuals who use caller ID spoofing, make threats of immediate arrest or demand secrecy. These are hallmarks of a scam.
Verify, don’t comply: If you receive such a call, do not share any personal or financial information. Immediately disconnect the call and verify the claims directly with your local police station or official government helplines.
Report scams immediately: Victims of cyber fraud should immediately call the 1930 helpline or report the crime online at www.cybercrime.gov.in.
