Pune: An IT engineer from Pashan fell victim to a sophisticated cyber scam in which fraudsters posing as Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) officers manipulated him into transferring ₹6.29 crore under the pretext of "digital arrest" in a money laundering case.
The victim, a 59-year-old on the verge of retirement, filed a complaint with the Cyber Police, prompting an investigation. The incident reportedly took place between November 9 and 19.
According to the complaint, the fraud began when the engineer received a video call from an unknown individual claiming to be a CBI officer. The caller falsely informed him that a money laundering case had been registered against him, and he was at risk of being arrested.
Despite denying any involvement in illegal activities, the victim was told that his bank transactions needed to be verified for a clearance certificate.
The fraudster declared that he was being "digitally arrested" due to his age and instructed him to keep the matter confidential, even from his family. The victim was further directed to keep the video call active throughout the process.
Fearing legal trouble, the victim followed the fraudster’s instructions without informing his wife and daughter. He transferred a total of ₹6.29 crore from his bank account over multiple transactions, believing the money would be returned after verification.
When he eventually realized he had been duped, the victim tried contacting the fraudster, only to find their phone switched off. The Cyber Police have registered a case against the unknown accused and are conducting further investigations.
What is "Digital Arrest"?
"Digital arrest" is a deceptive tactic used by cyber criminals to coerce victims into transferring money. Fraudsters claim they have the authority to virtually arrest individuals and instruct victims to isolate themselves from others. Under this pretext, they manipulate victims into transferring funds from their accounts.
Expert Advice on Cyber Fraud
Cybersecurity expert Advocate Jayashree Nangre advises that individuals should never transfer money under threats or suspicious circumstances. In case of fraud, victims should immediately report the incident to their bank and the Cyber Crime Portal.
Informing authorities within three hours increases the likelihood of freezing transactions via payment gateways, enabling the recovery of lost funds.
