Bengaluru Woman Victim of ₹24 Crore Digital Scam
Elderly Woman Duped Out of ₹24 Crore in Sophisticated “Digital Arrest” Scam
In a shocking case of cybercrime, a group of sophisticated scammers allegedly conned an elderly woman in Bengaluru out of nearly ₹24 crore by manipulating her into believing she was under a fake money laundering investigation.
The Scam Unfolds:
The scammers, who used a combination of psychological pressure and financial coercion, convinced the victim to transfer large sums of money into various bank accounts controlled by them.
Manipulation and Coercion:
According to investigators, the scam began in January 2026 when the scammers gained access to the victim’s financial transactions and banking activity. They then contacted her, posing as officials from financial crime and investigation agencies, and falsely claimed that her bank accounts were linked to a money laundering case.
The scammers told the victim that she was under a so-called “digital arrest” and warned her not to contact family members or outsiders while the “investigation” was underway.
Financial Transactions:
Over the course of several months, the victim was subjected to continuous phone and video-call surveillance by the scammers, who used fear and intimidation to manipulate her into making numerous large transactions.
Between January and May 2026, the victim transferred nearly ₹24 crore into various bank accounts controlled by the scammers, despite receiving large sums of money herself.
Investigation and Aftermath:
The case came to light when the victim visited the ICICI Bank Cantonment branch in Bengaluru to pledge gold jewelry in order to arrange additional funds. Bank officials became suspicious due to the unusual nature of the transaction and alerted the police.
A team from the CCB Cyber Crime police station questioned the victim, who eventually revealed that she had been trapped in a “digital arrest” scam and had been acting under pressure from the scammers.
Five suspects, including Gaurav Kumar and Om Prakash Rajput, have been arrested so far, and one bank account containing approximately ₹60 lakh has been frozen as part of the ongoing investigation.
Cyber forensic teams are now examining digital evidence, banking records, call logs, and transaction patterns to identify other members of the network and trace the remaining funds.
Cybercrime Experts Warn:
Cybercrime experts warn that “digital arrest” scams have become a growing concern in India, where scammers use fear of law enforcement and arrest to manipulate victims.
The case highlights the need for vigilance and awareness among citizens, particularly senior citizens and those living alone, who are often targeted by these types of scams.