The victim, identified as Nagesh Sharma, a resident of Vinay Colony in Keshwapur, received a WhatsApp video call from scammers who introduced themselves as officers from Colaba Police Station, Mumbai. They told Sharma that a bank account had been opened in his name in Mumbai and that it was linked to transactions involving a banned organisation member, O. M. Abdul Salam.
The fraudsters further claimed that a case had been registered against him and that he could avoid arrest by paying a large sum of money. Fearing legal trouble, Sharma transferred ₹1,07,80,600 through RTGS in multiple transactions to different bank accounts provided by the scammers.
When he later realised that he had been cheated, Sharma filed a complaint at the Hubballi Cyber Crime Police Station. An investigation is currently underway.
Police Commissioner N. Shashikumar confirmed the details, stating that the scammers had convinced Sharma that he was under “digital arrest” — a fake concept used to intimidate victims. “Despite ongoing awareness campaigns, people are still falling for such scams. There is no such thing as a digital arrest,” he said.
He urged citizens to be cautious, not to share personal or financial details over unknown calls, and to immediately report any suspicious activity by dialing the cybercrime helpline 1930.
Authorities have also advised residents to communicate in Kannada during such suspicious calls to avoid being misled by imposters pretending to be officials.
Tags:
Cybercrime
