A software engineer in Bengaluru was scammed out of Rs 11.8 crore through a method known as “digital arrest.” The fraudsters, who were posing as police officers, convinced him that his Aadhaar card was being misused for money laundering. They extorted money from him using threats and intimidation. The scam in Bengaluru took place between November 25 and December 12. The victim reported that on November 11, he received a call from someone claiming to be from the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI). The caller said his SIM card, […]
Software Engineer Defrauded Of Rs 11.8 Crore Through Digital Arrest Scam
A software engineer in Bengaluru was scammed out of Rs 11.8 crore through a method known as “digital arrest.” The fraudsters, who were posing as police officers, convinced him that his Aadhaar card was being misused for money laundering. They extorted money from him using threats and intimidation. The scam in Bengaluru took place between November 25 and December 12.
The victim reported that on November 11, he received a call from someone claiming to be from the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI). The caller said his SIM card, was linked to his Aadhaar, and had been misused. Shortly after, sometime later another call came from someone who pretended to be a police officer. He was told that his Aadhaar was being used to open bank accounts for money laundering. The scammers further cited fake RBI guidelines, and also instructed the victim to transfer funds for “verification purposes,” while threatening severe legal consequences if he refused to do so.
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The fake police officer then threatened the victim with arrest unless he cooperated with a “virtual investigation.” Soon after, he was instructed to download Skype. During a video call, another person, dressed in a Mumbai Police uniform, claimed that a businessman had used his Aadhaar to open a bank account and conduct a Rs 6 crore transaction.
On November 25, the fraudsters made another Skype call, where the person, still in police uniform, informed the victim that the case was in the Supreme Court. He was then threatened that his family would be arrested if he did not comply. The fraudsters used fake Reserve Bank of India guidelines to pressure him, claiming he needed to transfer money for “verification purposes” or face legal action.
Fearing arrest, the victim transferred Rs 11.8 crore to various bank accounts in multiple transactions. It wasn’t until they demanded more money that he realized he had been duped. The victim then reported the incident to the police. A case has been registered under the relevant sections of the IT Act and the Indian Penal Code.
