Vijayawada: Retired employee succumbs to threats, loses ₹49L in digital arrest scam

Vijayawada: Cybercriminals posing as Enforcement Directorate (ED) officials extorted Rs 49 lakh from a 65-year-old retired steel plant employee in a digital arrest scam.

The victim, who is settled in Vijayawada, was initially stopped from transferring Rs 72.50 lakh by alert bank officials and police. However, within 15 days, he allegedly succumbed to pressure from the fraudsters and transferred Rs 49 lakh to their account.

Fraudsters posed as ED officials

According to police, the retired employee received a call late last month from persons claiming to be officials of the Enforcement Directorate. They allegedly told him that multiple cases were pending against him and threatened legal action.

During a video call, a man dressed in what appeared to be an official uniform claimed to be an investigating officer and demanded Rs 72.50 lakh to “settle” the cases and avoid arrest.

Bank officials alert police

Frightened by the threats, the victim approached the SBI branch at Ramachandranagar in Vijayawada and sought to prematurely close his fixed deposits worth Rs 78 lakh. He requested the bank to transfer Rs 72.50 lakh to another account.

Suspicious of the large transfer and the circumstances, bank officials informed the police. On verification, police found that the beneficiary account was based in Kolkata. The transaction was immediately halted, and the victim was counselled about cyber fraud.

He was clearly told that there is no such thing as a “digital arrest” and advised not to respond to such calls. Police also assured him of support if anyone tried to intimidate him again.

Transferred money despite warning

However, within two weeks, the fraudsters reportedly contacted him again. This time, the victim went back to the bank, closed his fixed deposits citing relocation to Bengaluru, and transferred the funds into his savings account.

He then opened a new account at Indian Bank in the city and transferred Rs 49 lakh to the fraudsters’ account. When questioned by bank staff about the transaction, he reportedly claimed that he was sending money to a known person.

Complaint filed after four days

Realising he had been cheated, the victim approached the police four days later and lodged a complaint. A case has been registered, and an investigation is underway.

Police once again cautioned the public that law enforcement agencies do not conduct “digital arrests” or demand money over phone or video calls. Citizens are urged to verify suspicious calls and immediately report such incidents to cybercrime authorities.