Scammers posed as Mumbai police officers and used fake videos to threaten the victim into transferring her life savings
Udupi, Karnataka – July 19: In a chilling case of cyber fraud, a woman from Shirva in Karnataka’s Udupi district lost ₹14.1 lakh after falling prey to a sophisticated “digital arrest” scam. The victim, identified as Mary, was allegedly threatened and manipulated by fraudsters posing as police officers, who used fear tactics and fake videos to convince her to drain her bank account.
How the scam unfolded
Mary received a phone call on July 9 from a person speaking in Hindi, who claimed that a complaint had been registered against her. The caller falsely alleged that her mobile number was linked to a financial fraud case involving a billionaire named Naresh Goyal from Bihar. He further claimed that money from Goyal was credited to her account and insisted that to clear her name, she had to prove she was not holding any illicit funds.
When Mary resisted, the caller threatened legal action and transferred her call to another person claiming to be “Sandeep Jadhav,” supposedly a senior official. This individual intensified the scare tactics, showing her a video over a video call that appeared to depict police officers arresting someone in a similar situation. The video was designed to instill panic and convince her of the legitimacy of the threat.
Victim coerced into draining account
Terrified by the apparent “digital arrest,” Mary was tricked into revealing her Aadhaar details and bank account information. She was pressured to act quickly, told that any delay could result in her arrest or criminal prosecution. Under extreme duress, she visited her bank on July 14 and transferred a total of ₹14.1 lakh via RTGS to the account number provided by the scammers.
Only after making the transfer did Mary begin to doubt the authenticity of the callers. Realising she had been scammed, she approached Shirva Police Station and filed an official complaint.
FIR registered under BNS and IT Act
A First Information Report (FIR) has been registered under the following sections:
- Sections 316(2) and 318(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), relating to cheating and criminal intimidation.
- Sections 66(C) and 66(D) of the Information Technology Act, dealing with identity theft and cheating by impersonation using computer resources.
Udupi police have launched an investigation into the scam. Preliminary findings suggest the use of spoofed caller IDs and pre-recorded videos to create a false sense of urgency and legitimacy.
What is a "digital arrest" scam?
The so-called digital arrest scam is a rising cybercrime tactic where scammers impersonate government or law enforcement officials, often via video calls or fake documents, to falsely accuse victims of being involved in crimes like money laundering, cyber fraud, or financial terrorism.
Scammers exploit fear and lack of legal awareness, convincing victims to share personal data or transfer large sums of money under the pretext of avoiding arrest or legal action. These scams typically target educated and financially literate individuals, making them all the more dangerous.
Worrying trend across India
This is not an isolated incident. Several similar cases have surfaced across India in recent months:
- In Mumbai, a tech employee lost ₹12 lakh after being told he was part of a terror funding probe.
- In Hyderabad, a woman was duped of ₹8.5 lakh by fraudsters posing as CBI officers.
- In Delhi, cybercriminals used AI voice cloning and deepfake videos to trick a retired professor into giving away over ₹10 lakh.
The growing use of technology — especially AI-generated videos and spoofed numbers — makes it increasingly difficult for victims to differentiate real officials from fake ones.
Police advisory and safety tips
Cybersecurity experts and police officials have issued the following warnings for the public:
- No police station or central agency demands money over calls or video chats.
- Do not share personal or banking information such as Aadhaar numbers, OTPs, or account details over the phone or video calls.
- Always verify the identity of the caller by contacting the concerned department directly through official numbers or websites.
- Report such incidents immediately to the local police or call the Cyber Crime Helpline at 1930.
Final Thoughts
Mary’s case is a disturbing reminder of how advanced and manipulative cyber fraudsters have become. The emotional and psychological toll of such scams is as devastating as the financial loss. While the police are pursuing leads, this incident underlines the urgent need for digital literacy and awareness across India.
With AI tools and spoofing technology readily available to scammers, even educated and cautious citizens can fall into these traps. The only real defense is education, vigilance, and a healthy dose of skepticism