Government employee placed under ‘digital arrest’ loses ₹8.5 lakh

A 49-year-old government employee from Hyderabad lost ₹8.5 lakh over four days after being tricked into believing that he was under ‘digital arrest’ by fraudsters posing as officials from Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) and the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).

Following a complaint, the cyber crime wing of Hyderabad police booked a case.

The scam unfolded when the victim received a call from an individual claiming to be a TRAI official, who falsely alleged that his mobile number was being used to circulate morphed nude photographs of women. The fraudster further claimed that an FIR had been registered against him in Bengaluru. Shortly after this, the victim received a WhatsApp video call, where the fraudster dressed as a police officer, demanded Aadhaar card details under the pretext of an investigation.

The fraudsters later told the victim that his Aadhaar card had been found in possession of a criminal named ‘Sadakath Khan’ and falsely accused him of financial links to the suspect. Claiming that he was under ‘digital arrest’, they ordered him to report to them regularly and warned him against informing his family, saying it was a national security matter. They also threatened him with two years of imprisonment if he disclosed the case to anyone.

Over four days, the victim was sent fake FIRs and Supreme Court orders, falsely stating that he would face three years in jail and a fine. The fraudsters then claimed the case had been transferred to the CBI and introduced him to a fake CBI official. Under the guise of verifying his financial records, they demanded his Aadhaar card, PAN card, bank details and debit cards. They convinced him into transferring his bank balance, assuring him that his money would be returned after verification.

Fearing legal trouble, the victim complied with their demands and visited the Union Bank of India, where he transferred ₹8.5 lakh via RTGS to the fraudsters’ account.

Following the case, the police urged people to avoid engaging with unknown callers claiming to be from law enforcement or regulatory agencies. They have clarified that there is no such thing as ‘digital arrest’ and no government body demands money for clearing legal issues.