75-Year-Old Ghaziabad Woman Loses ₹52.78 Lakh in ‘Digital Arrest’ Cyber Fraud

A 75-year-old woman from Chiranjiv Vihar was duped of ₹52.78 lakh by cyber fraudsters who falsely claimed she was under a “digital arrest,” police said on Monday.

According to the complaint filed at the Ghaziabad Cyber Crime Police Station, the victim, identified as Uday Thakur, received a call on October 25 from a man posing as a Telecom Department official. The caller alleged that a SIM card issued in her name was linked to a money laundering case.

Shortly after, she received a video call from individuals impersonating officers of the Crime Branch and the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). The fraudsters showed fake identity cards and official-looking backgrounds, convincing her that she was being investigated.

They told her she was “digitally arrested” and prohibited from leaving her home or contacting anyone until her name was cleared. Under psychological pressure, the woman transferred ₹52.78 lakh across three transactions between October 25 and November 1.

When she realized she had been scammed, she approached the cyber police, who have since launched an investigation. Officials said multiple bank accounts and digital payment channels used in the fraud are under scrutiny.

“This is a new and highly manipulative form of cyber fraud where criminals impersonate law enforcement officers to trap victims,” said a senior police official. “A dedicated cyber team is analyzing the digital trail to identify and apprehend the culprits.”

Cybersecurity experts cautioned that “digital arrest” scams are becoming increasingly common in India’s urban centers, exploiting fear and authority to target vulnerable individuals, particularly senior citizens.