Couple Rescued from Digital Arrest Scam; Fixed Deposit & 25 Tolas of Gold Secured

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Sabarkantha, Gujarat: A significant cyber fraud attempt targeting a 75-year-old couple was prevented in Sabarkantha district, Gujarat, after scammers impersonated Mumbai Police officials.

Incident Overview

The scam involved sustained psychological manipulation through continuous video calls over three days, aiming to extract financial assets and precious metals. The perpetrators falsely claimed the victims were under investigation for a financial crime.

The Scam Unfolds

Scammers contacted Rasikbhai Modi, posing as Mumbai Police officers. They claimed a mobile SIM linked to his Aadhaar card was involved in a financial crime attributed to an individual named Naresh Goyal. The callers threatened legal consequences and arrest, persuading the couple they were under investigation for a severe criminal matter.

The Intervention

The scammers instructed the victims to melt 25 tolas of gold into bullion and withdraw a fixed deposit of ₹2 lakh. When the couple visited a bank, a perceptive employee detected their distress and alerted cybercrime authorities. A cybercrime team intervened, clarifying that no legitimate agency would conduct investigations via video calls or demand payments.

Expert Insights

A cybersecurity specialist and former IPS officer, Prof. Triveni Singh, highlighted the growing threat of digital arrest scams. He emphasized that no Indian government agency conducts investigations through video calls or requests monetary payments to close cases.

Cybersecurity Specialist’s Warning

He stressed that no official Indian government agency conducts investigations through video calls or requests monetary payments to close cases. He recommended that individuals terminate such calls immediately and report them to law enforcement or cybercrime authorities.

Public Advisory

Law enforcement agencies have advised the public, especially senior citizens, to exercise caution when encountering individuals claiming to be police officers, investigators, or government officials demanding money or threatening arrest during video calls.

Law Enforcement Advice

Authorities emphasized the importance of independently verifying such claims before taking action and reporting suspicious interactions promptly.

Preventive Measures

Individuals are urged to avoid sharing sensitive information, verify the authenticity of callers, and seek assistance from trusted sources or authorities when in doubt.