Pimpri-Chinchwad: Retired Engineer Loses ₹22.5 Lakh in ‘Digital Arrest’ Cyber Fraud

A 71-year-old retired engineer from Juni Sangvi, Pimpri-Chinchwad, lost ₹22.5 lakh to cyber fraudsters who falsely accused him of being involved in child pornography and money laundering. The scam took place between September 23 and 30 and was later reported to the Sangvi Police Station.

According to police, the victim, a former employee of Kirloskar Oil Engines Limited, lives alone while his son works in the merchant navy. The fraud began when he received a WhatsApp video call from a person claiming to be a cybercrime officer. The caller alleged that the victim’s phone number and PAN card were linked to a criminal case involving Jet Airways founder Naresh Goyal.

The scammers told him that a “digital arrest” order had been issued and that he needed to appear before the CBI and a “special court” through a WhatsApp video call. To make the threat appear genuine, they sent fake court documents and instructed him to transfer money into accounts “belonging to the court” for verification. Under pressure, the elderly man transferred ₹15.5 lakh and ₹7 lakh in two separate transactions.

After the money was sent, the fraudsters stopped responding, and the victim realized he had been cheated. He approached the police nearly 45 days later.

Inspector (Crime) Amol Nandekar of Sangvi Police Station said a case has been registered under sections 318 (cheating), 316 (criminal breach of trust), and 3(5) (common intention) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, along with relevant provisions of the IT Act. Police have managed to freeze several accounts and recover ₹3.5 lakh so far.

Officials advised citizens to remain cautious of such “digital arrest” scams and report suspicious calls immediately to the cybercrime helpline 1930. Authorities also clarified that no government agency conducts investigations or arrests over video calls or asks for money transfers.