An elderly woman in Mumbai fell victim to a cyber fraud and digital arrest scam, losing a staggering amount of over ₹20 crore after receiving a call regarding the misuse of her Aadhaar card. The scam unfolded between December 26 of the previous year and March 3, during which the scammers managed to deceive the victim of a substantial sum.
The scheme commenced with a phone call to the woman, informing her that her Aadhaar card and personal information had been utilized to open a new bank account in India. Pretending to be a police officer, the caller alleged that the account in question was being used for illicit money transfers connected to various illegal activities, including money laundering.
To add to the pressure, the scammers threatened legal action against the woman, mentioning that the case would implicate not only her but also her family members, including her daughter. In order to resolve the situation and prevent any repercussions, she was coerced into transferring funds to multiple bank accounts as per the fraudsters’ directive.
Throughout the entire duration of the scam, the perpetrators instructed the victim to remain under “digital arrest,” a term used to prevent the woman from seeking help or disclosing the matter to anyone else. However, upon realizing the deceit, the victim reported the incident to the authorities, prompting an immediate investigation.
The police department swiftly initiated inquiries into the matter and managed to track the funds, leading to the identification and subsequent detention of the scammers involved in the fraudulent operation. The investigation remains ongoing as law enforcement officials continue to gather evidence and gather more information regarding the sophisticated cyber scam.
Such incidents serve as a stark reminder of the prevalence and sophistication of modern cyber fraud schemes, highlighting the need for increased awareness and vigilance among individuals to safeguard themselves against falling victim to such fraudulent activities. It also underscores the importance of timely reporting and collaboration with law enforcement agencies to combat cybercrime effectively and bring the perpetrators to justice.