Retired judge in Hyderabad duped of Rs 1.66 crore by fake CBI officials in Digital Arrest scam
Retired judge in Hyderabad cheated by fake CBI officials loses Rs 1.66 crore in Digital Arrest scam
By - Newsmeter Network
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Hyderabad: A retired judge was duped of Rs 1.66 crore in an elaborate ‘digital arrest’ scam after cyber scammers impersonated CBI officials, accused him of serious crimes, and kept him under virtual surveillance through video calls.
The shocking incident has been registered at Neredmet Police Station, with an investigation now underway.
Fraudsters posed as CBI officials
According to police, the cyber criminals contacted the retired judge via video call, claiming to be officials from the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).
They alleged that he was involved in money laundering and human trafficking cases and that a criminal case had been registered against him in Indiranagar, Bengaluru.
To intensify fear, the fraudsters falsely claimed that the Supreme Court had issued a non-bailable warrant against him.
Threats of arrest and reputation damage
The scammers warned the former judge not to step out of his house, stating that he was under ‘digital arrest’ as part of an ongoing investigation. They also instructed him not to discuss the matter with family members or friends.
In another shocking claim, the fraudsters told him that two mobile numbers linked to his Aadhaar card were allegedly being used to make objectionable calls to women, further deepening his anxiety.
They threatened that an arrest would severely damage his reputation and career legacy.
Bank details extracted, Rs 1.66 crore transferred
Under the pretext of verifying his financial records, the accused coerced him into sharing bank account details. They assured him that the money transferred for ‘verification purposes’ would be refunded after the inquiry was completed.
Fearing arrest and public humiliation, the retired judge transferred Rs 1.66 crore to the accounts specified by the fraudsters.
When the promised refund did not materialise, he realised he had been cheated and approached the police.
The Neredmet police have registered a case and initiated an investigation to trace the cyber criminals involved in the sophisticated scam.
Public advisory
Authorities have once again urged the public to remain cautious against ‘digital arrest’ frauds, emphasising that no legitimate law enforcement agency conducts investigations or demands money through video calls.
