Bengaluru Woman Falls Victim to Digital Arrest Scam Losing ₹4.9 Crores

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Sophisticated Digital Scam Targets Senior Citizen

A 94-year-old researcher in Bengaluru has suffered significant financial losses due to a complex “digital arrest” scam orchestrated by sophisticated cybercriminals.

Key Elements of the Scam

The scam began with a phone call from an individual posing as a BESCOM employee, informing the researcher about a fabricated human trafficking case.
A subsequent call from a self-proclaimed CBI officer, “Sandeep Rao,” requested the victim’s Aadhaar card details, further escalating the situation.
The scammer sent a fake FIR to create the illusion of legitimacy.
The victim received multiple video calls from different numbers, each featuring a man dressed in a police-style uniform, reinforcing the “digital arrest” narrative.
The victim was instructed to respond to messages every three hours to confirm compliance, creating a sense of urgency and anxiety.
The victim ultimately transferred a total of ₹4.9 crore in multiple installments.

Warning Signs and Prevention

According to Prof. Triveni Singh, a renowned Cyber Crime Expert and former IPS officer:”If you are a senior citizen, please stay vigilant and adopt strong cybersecurity measures. Always be cautious when sharing personal information over unknown calls or messages. Report any suspicious requests to the police immediately. Protect your sensitive information with robust security measures. Lastly, educate yourself about common cyber threats and scams.”

By being aware of these warning signs and taking proactive steps, individuals can minimize the risk of falling prey to sophisticated digital scams like the one experienced by the 94-year-old researcher in Bengaluru.