Elderly man duped in ‘digital arrest’ cyber fraud, loses Rs 9.5 lakh

Lucknow: An 85-year-old resident of Indira Nagar has been duped of Rs 9.5 lakh in a sophisticated “digital arrest” cyber fraud, where scammers posing as officials of the National Investigation Agency allegedly kept him under psychological pressure for nearly three days.

According to police, the victim received a WhatsApp video call on April 6 from fraudsters who falsely accused him of aiding terrorist activities and claimed that an arrest warrant had been issued against him. To make the threat appear credible, the accused reportedly shared forged documents and conducted continuous video interactions.

Investigators said the fraudsters kept the elderly man under constant surveillance through prolonged calls from April 6 to April 9, preventing him from contacting family members or seeking help. Under intense mental pressure and fear of arrest, he was coerced into transferring money to accounts provided by the accused.

Police said the victim transferred Rs 7.5 lakh on April 7 and Rs 2 lakh on April 9 through RTGS transactions to bank accounts located in Vellore and Pilani.

After realising he was cheated, the victim reported the matter to the cybercrime helpline 1930 and also lodged a complaint on the national cybercrime portal. He further informed his bank to freeze the transactions.

Based on the complaint, the cyber police station in Daliganj has registered an FIR under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and the Information Technology Act. Officials said efforts are underway to trace the accused through digital footprints, call records and banking transactions.

Police have issued an advisory urging citizens, especially senior citizens, to remain cautious, stressing that no law enforcement agency conducts investigations or arrests through video calls or demands money for “settlement” of cases.

Police have issued an advisory urging citizens, especially senior citizens, to remain cautious, stressing that no law enforcement agency conducts investigations or arrests through video calls or demands money for “settlement” of cases.
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