A retired 83-year-old bank employee from Habsiguda has been tragically defrauded of over ₹80.64 lakh in a cunning ‘digital arrest’ scam. The sophisticated criminals impersonated high-ranking officials from organizations like the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI), the police, and even the Supreme Court, preying on the elderly victim’s trust and fear.
Authorities with the Hyderabad cybercrime unit have initiated an investigation into the matter.
According to law enforcement, the victim received a call on July 12 from a scammer who falsely accused him of misusing his Aadhaar card, alleging its involvement in human trafficking and cyber fraud schemes across Cambodia, Myanmar, and the Philippines, where people were being forced into online deception.
To make their fabricated story seem credible, these criminals reportedly sent the senior citizen a doctored ATM card from Canara Bank, along with a counterfeit Supreme Court notice that falsely implicated him in these illicit activities, a police officer revealed.
Overwhelmed by panic due to the grave accusations and intimidation, the elderly man proceeded to transfer substantial amounts of money to the fraudsters through numerous transactions. It was only later that he discovered the entire ordeal was a meticulously planned deception, crafted to exploit his vulnerability and terror.
Cybercrime authorities emphatically stated that the concept of a ‘digital arrest’ does not exist. They stressed that no police department or government body would ever request money for investigations or verification processes. Officials issued a warning about the growing trend of fraudsters masquerading as representatives of TRAI, the CBI, and other official entities, frequently employing forged documents like fake FIRs, arrest warrants, and court orders to deceive innocent individuals.
Should you or someone you know become a victim of cyber fraud, incidents can be reported by calling the 1930 helpline. Additionally, complaints can be lodged on the dedicated government portal for cybercrime. For those in Hyderabad needing immediate help, assistance is available via phone. Stay informed about the latest cybercrime awareness updates by following your local Cybercrime Police Station on their official social media channels.