A woman from Dehradun was duped of ₹1.7 crore after falling victim to a new type of cyber fraud known as ‘digital arrest.’ The scam involved a man posing as a law enforcement official who falsely accused her of being involved in money laundering and drug smuggling.
According to police, the woman received a call from a person claiming to be from FedEx Courier, informing her that a consignment from Mumbai to Taiwan had been intercepted. The caller alleged that the woman’s details, including her mobile number and email address, were linked to the parcel. She was then connected to a person who introduced himself as a CBI officer from the Mumbai Crime Branch.
The supposed officer claimed that illegal documents, passports, ATM cards, drugs, and large sums of money were found in the consignment. He accused her of involvement in criminal activities, including money laundering, and threatened her with arrest. In order to avoid arrest, the woman was instructed to cooperate with the investigation, either by traveling to Mumbai or recording her statement online.
The scam escalated when the woman was asked to download an app that connected her to a fake Mumbai police website, where she was told the investigation would be recorded for court purposes. The caller instructed her to remain isolated in her home, avoid speaking to anyone, and transfer money for verification. The fraudsters assured her that the money would be refunded after the investigation.
Realizing she had been scammed when no refund arrived, the woman approached the police, who immediately launched an investigation. The accused, identified as Mani Kumar, was arrested on Wednesday from his residence in Yamunanagar, Haryana. Police recovered a mobile phone, debit and credit cards, Aadhaar cards, and a PAN card from him. Authorities continue to investigate the case.
This incident highlights the growing threat of digital frauds, where cybercriminals exploit technology and fake authorities to manipulate and defraud unsuspecting victims. Police are urging the public to be cautious when receiving unsolicited calls or messages, particularly those involving threats of arrest or legal action.
Sources By Agencies
