Bengaluru Techie Duped of ₹11.8 Crore in Elaborate ‘Digital Arrest’ Scam
Bengaluru Techie Loses Crores to High-Tech Digital Arrest Scam: A 39-year-old software engineer in Bengaluru lost ₹11.8 crore in an elaborate scam orchestrated by fraudsters who posed as police officers. Claiming that his Aadhaar card details were being misused for money laundering, the fraudsters threatened the victim with arrest and coerced him into transferring the money across multiple transactions.
The scam, which unfolded between November 25 and December 12, highlights the alarming rise of cybercrime in India, where tech-savvy individuals are also falling prey to well-organized schemes.
How the Scam Unfolded
The ordeal began on November 11 when the victim received a call from someone claiming to be an official from the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI). The caller alleged that the victim’s SIM card, linked to his Aadhaar card, was being used for illegal advertisements and spam messages.
Shortly after, the victim received another call from someone impersonating a police officer, who alleged that his Aadhaar details were linked to fraudulent bank accounts involved in money laundering. The supposed officer warned the victim to keep the matter confidential, threatening physical arrest if he failed to cooperate with the “investigation.”
Adding credibility to the ruse, the victim was directed to download the Skype app. He then received a video call from a man dressed in a Mumbai police uniform, who claimed that a businessman had opened bank accounts using the victim’s Aadhaar card to conduct ₹6 crore worth of transactions.
Intimidation and Extortion
On November 25, the victim received another Skype call, this time from someone who alleged that his case had reached the Supreme Court. The caller further threatened to arrest the victim’s family if he did not comply.
Citing fake Reserve Bank of India (RBI) guidelines, the fraudsters demanded that the victim transfer funds for “verification purposes” or face legal consequences. Fearing arrest and social repercussions, the victim transferred ₹11.8 crore across multiple transactions to various bank accounts provided by the fraudsters.
When the fraudsters began demanding additional payments, the victim realized he had been duped and approached the police.
Legal Action and Investigation
A case has been registered under the Information Technology Act and sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) for cheating and impersonation. Authorities are investigating the case to trace the culprits and recover the stolen money.
Rising Cybercrime Concerns
This incident underscores the need for heightened awareness about cyber frauds and the importance of verifying the authenticity of such claims. Experts urge individuals to refrain from sharing sensitive information or making transactions based on threats over phone calls or online platforms.
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