Bengaluru Software Engineer Defrauded of Whopping Rs 11.8 Crore in “Digital Arrest” Scam
A 39-year-old software engineer from Bengaluru’s Hebbal has fallen victim to a sophisticated “digital arrest” scam, losing Rs 11.8 crore over an 18-day period. The scam, which began on November 11, involved multiple fraudsters impersonating government officials and law enforcement officers, ultimately leading the victim to transfer the massive sum to various bank accounts.
The Scam Unfolds
The ordeal started when the victim was contacted by a fraudster posing as an official from the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI). The caller alleged that a SIM card linked to the victim’s Aadhaar was being used for illegal advertisements and cyber harassment and claimed that a case had been filed at a Mumbai police station.
Subsequently, another fraudster pretending to be a police officer accused the victim of involvement in money laundering and warned of imminent physical arrest if he did not comply. The victim was then instructed to download the Skype app for a video conversation with yet another fraudster, posing as a Mumbai police officer. During these calls, the victim was accused of being linked to fraudulent transactions through an Aadhaar-linked bank account allegedly opened by a businessman named Naresh Goyal.
To add credibility to their claims, the scammers presented a fake Reserve Bank of India document and demanded money for “verification purposes.” Fearing arrest, the victim transferred Rs 11.8 crore across several bank accounts controlled by the fraudsters between November 11 and December 12. Realizing the deception, the victim filed a police complaint on December 12.
A Growing Threat
This case is part of a larger trend of “digital arrest” scams, where cybercriminals use sophisticated tactics to exploit fear and intimidation. These scams often involve impersonating officials from agencies like the CBI, Narcotics Control Bureau, or Customs. The criminals leverage platforms such as WhatsApp or Skype to accuse victims of crimes like money laundering, drug trafficking, or Aadhaar misuse, coercing them into transferring large sums of money.
Authorities are urging the public to remain vigilant and verify the identity of individuals claiming to represent government agencies. Law enforcement is actively investigating the case.
