A resident of Rajasthan's Khairthal-Tijara district was defrauded of ₹10 lakh by a scammer posing as a senior police officer. The victim was targeted in a 'digital arrest' scheme, which local police stopped before he could lose more assets.
A resident of Mundawar in Rajasthan’s Khairthal-Tijara district has fallen victim to a 'digital arrest' scam, losing ₹10 lakh to a fraudster who impersonated a Delhi police officer. The incident highlights the growing threat of cybercriminals using fear and intimidation to extort money from unsuspecting citizens.
The victim, identified as Deshram, reported receiving a video call on August 4 from an individual claiming to be a Delhi IPS officer named 'Sunil Kumar Gautam.' The caller used aggressive tactics, claiming that the victim’s Aadhaar details had been misused to open a fraudulent bank account linked to a money laundering case involving ₹6.80 crore. To pressure the victim, the fraudster threatened him with immediate arrest and a three-year prison sentence.
Fearing the threats, the victim transferred ₹10 lakh via an RTGS transaction from his bank account on August 11. The scammers, continuing their pressure tactics, later demanded even more money. The victim had reached the point of preparing to sell his family jewelry, valued between ₹15 lakh and ₹20 lakh, to meet these fraudulent demands.
Local law enforcement intervened after receiving intelligence about the incident. Mundawar police officers located the victim before he could liquidate his remaining assets. Station House Officer Mohar Singh Meena confirmed that the victim was counselled, and police successfully stopped further financial losses. Family members were informed, and the victim's jewelry was secured. Authorities have registered a case and are investigating to trace the bank accounts used by the perpetrators.
This incident serves as a stark reminder of the 'digital arrest' modus operandi. In such scams, fraudsters typically use video calls to keep victims in a state of panic, often forcing them to remain online for hours while claiming that they are under 'digital house arrest' to avoid real jail time. They use forged documents, fake police uniforms, and official-looking backgrounds to gain credibility.
It is important for the public to remember that law enforcement agencies do not conduct investigations, request money transfers, or execute arrests over video calls. Any legitimate inquiry from police or government authorities follows established, formal legal procedures, which do not involve demands for urgent fund transfers to clear one's name. If an individual receives such a threatening call, the safest course of action is to disconnect, remain calm, and contact the nearest local police station or report the incident on the official national cybercrime portal.