.jpg "Retired LIC Officer in Pune Duped of ₹99 Lakh in ‘Digital Arrest’ Scam")
According to police, the fraud took place in October when the woman received a call from someone claiming to be an officer from the “Data Protection Agency.” The caller told her that her Aadhaar-linked mobile number was involved in illegal financial activities.
Soon after, the call was transferred to another person posing as a senior police officer named George Mathew. He accused her of money laundering and warned that her bank accounts would be frozen.
To make the scam look real, the fraudsters sent her a fake arrest warrant over WhatsApp, bearing forged signatures of Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and a government seal. They told her that, because of her age, she was being placed under “digital arrest” and needed to transfer her money for “RBI verification.”
Frightened by the threats, the woman followed their instructions and transferred ₹99 lakh in several installments to multiple bank accounts. Later, when she tried to contact the callers again, all the phone numbers were switched off. Realizing she had been cheated, she immediately reported the incident to Pune Cyber Police.
Investigations have revealed that the gang behind the fraud may be operating from Thane, near Mumbai. Police are now tracing the bank accounts, phone numbers, and digital trails used in the scam.
Officials have urged citizens to be cautious of such calls and to remember that no government agency or officer will ever demand money transfers for “verification” or issue arrest warrants through WhatsApp.
Police Advice:
• Never share personal or banking details over calls or messages.
• Verify any government-related claim by contacting official helplines.
• Report suspicious calls or messages immediately to the National Cybercrime Helpline 1930 or cybercrime.gov.in.
Tags:
Cybercrime
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