Digital Arrest : Ahmedabad Woman Defrauded of Rs.1.36 Cr

Ahmedabad, Gujarat — In a chilling testament to the escalating sophistication of cybercrime, an Ahmedabad woman, a senior assistant at ONGC, has fallen victim to a “digital arrest” scam, losing a staggering ₹1.36 crore. The elaborate fraud, involving impersonation of government officials and fabricated legal threats, unfolded over days, leaving the 51-year-old in a state of terror until a desperate plea for more money finally unveiled the deception. Cybercrime police have launched an urgent investigation into the brazen act.

The terrifying ordeal began on May 31 when the victim, residing in Gota, received a call from an unknown number. The caller, posing as a TRAI official, warned her that her mobile phone would be disconnected within two hours. Feigning concern, the scammer then “transferred” her call to a supposed “senior officer.” What followed was a WhatsApp video call featuring a person in a police uniform, initiating the second, more sinister phase of the scam.

The impersonator, claiming to be from “Bombay CBI,” delivered a bombshell: “There is black money worth ₹2 crore in Canara Bank, linked to your Aadhaar card. You are involved in this.” The victim was ordered to meticulously record details as a subsequent WhatsApp audio call presented a fake arrest warrant, demanding her continued cooperation and warning against switching off her phone.

The fraudsters maintained an iron grip, telling her, “Your mobile is in our track; you do not have to go anywhere without our permission.” They even inquired about her living situation, obtaining her mother’s phone number after learning she lived with her. Under intense duress, the woman complied with every demand, including drafting and photographing an “application” for the scammers.

The psychological torment escalated on June 2 with another WhatsApp video call. This time, a “manager from Bombay CBI” introduced “Judge Gogai Saheb,” who appeared on screen, seemingly presiding over a court. The fake judge interrogated her about her bank funds, then sent a fabricated “order” for investigation on WhatsApp, demanding she transfer her ₹35 lakh savings to a designated account for “verification.” Petrified, she visited her bank, filled out an RTGS form, and transferred the colossal sum.

The relentless pressure continued. On June 3, she was told her Fixed Deposits (FDs) also needed “verification.” She then transferred two FDs, amounting to ₹35 lakh and ₹15 lakh, to the fraudsters’ accounts. Day after day, under various pretexts, she was coerced into transferring more money, draining her and her mother’s accounts.

The cruel charade finally collapsed when the scammers demanded an additional ₹50 lakh. Desperate, the woman reached out to a relative for financial help. It was then that the horrifying truth dawned upon her: she had been systematically defrauded. A total of ₹1.36 crore had vanished. The victim immediately filed a complaint with the cybercrime unit, which has now launched a full-scale investigation into the audacious digital arrest scam, urging the public to remain vigilant against such sophisticated online impersonations.