Retired Railway Employee Scammed ₹30 Lakh by Fake ATS, NIA Officials

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A retired Indian Railways employee in Delhi was defrauded of ₹30 lakh after cybercriminals impersonated ATS, NIA, and RBI officials.

Digital Arrest Scam: Retired Railway Employee Loses ₹30 Lakh to Fake ATS, NIA Officials

A retired Indian Railways employee in Delhi was reportedly defrauded of ₹30 lakh after cybercriminals impersonating officials from the Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS), National Investigation Agency (NIA), and Reserve Bank of India (RBI) threatened to involve him in a fabricated terror funding and money laundering investigation. The scam involved persistent communication through phone calls and video calls, culminating in the victim transferring funds via RTGS after being pressured to disclose financial details.

Victim Linked to Red Fort Blast Case

The Dwarka-based victim was contacted by fraudsters who claimed to represent the ATS, NIA, and RBI. They alleged that his identity had surfaced in a terror funding probe linked to the 2005 Red Fort blast in Delhi. The perpetrators sent forged documents, including fabricated confidentiality agreements, RBI confirmations, and legalisation bonds, to lend credibility to their scheme. The victim was subjected to repeated calls and video interactions, during which he was coerced into revealing information about his bank accounts, fixed deposits, and other assets.

₹30 Lakh Transferred Through RTGS

According to Delhi Police Crime Branch reports, the victim transferred ₹30 lakh via RTGS to accounts controlled by the fraud network. Investigators identified a bank account under the name M/s Shri Balaji Tractor as receiving ₹15 lakh of the stolen funds. This account was linked to Sunil Singla, a Haryana resident arrested in connection with the case. Further analysis revealed multiple high-value transactions and ties to seven other cyber fraud incidents. Singla’s prior involvement in a separate cybercrime case was also uncovered during the investigation.

₹12 Lakh Recovered So Far

As of the latest update, ₹12 lakh of the stolen amount has been recovered or refunded. Police are examining banking records, digital evidence, and transaction trails to identify additional members of the interstate fraud network. Authorities are also investigating whether other accounts or entities were used to launder or transfer the illicit funds.

Expert Warns Against Panic-Based Decisions

Cybercrime expert and former IPS officer Prof. Triveni Singh highlighted that digital arrest scams typically exploit fear of legal repercussions and social stigma. Fraudsters use fake identities, fabricated documents, and prolonged video calls to simulate genuine government investigations. Singh advised victims to avoid making financial decisions under pressure and to independently verify any suspicious communication with official agencies. He emphasized that legitimate authorities would not request money transfers through video calls or demand the relocation of savings for verification purposes.

Delhi Police continue their investigation, focusing on tracing the remaining funds, identifying other suspects, and mapping the broader network behind the scam. The case underscores the growing sophistication of cybercriminals in leveraging digital platforms to execute complex fraud schemes.