Mohali, June 13 — In a chilling case of cybercrime, a 70-year-old retired government official from Phase 6, Mohali, was defrauded of ₹1.03 crore by scammers who subjected her to a fabricated “digital arrest” over a span of three days.
The victim received a call from an unknown person who falsely claimed her KYC details had been linked to a money laundering investigation. The caller, posing as law enforcement personnel, warned her of immediate legal consequences unless she cooperated.
“They said I was under digital arrest and would be monitored via video call. I was not allowed to speak to anyone or leave,” the woman stated in her complaint to police.
Terrified by the legal threats and convinced of the legitimacy of the call, the woman followed their instructions and began transferring large sums of money. Over the course of three days, she made multiple payments through RTGS transfers to various bank accounts, amounting to a total loss of ₹1.03 crore.
After the calls ceased and the scammers went silent, the victim realised she had been conned and immediately reported the matter to the cyber cell.
Police have since registered a case under Sections 308(2), 318(4), 127(7), and 61(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), along with Section 66 of the Information Technology Act. Authorities are now working to trace the bank accounts used for the transactions and the origin of the fraudulent calls.
“This is yet another instance of the so-called ‘digital arrest’ scam targeting the elderly,” said DSP Rupinder Kaur Sohi. “There is no such concept as digital arrest in the Indian legal system. Residents must be alert and report any suspicious call demanding money immediately.”
The police are urging citizens to verify the identity of any caller claiming legal authority and to never transfer money or share financial details based on threats received over the phone.
Cybersecurity experts say such scams are becoming increasingly sophisticated, often involving impersonation of police officials or government agencies. Victims are typically coerced into compliance through psychological pressure, isolation, and continuous video monitoring.
This latest case adds to a growing list of similar incidents across the country, raising alarms about the vulnerability of senior citizens in the digital age.
Officials say the best protection against such scams is awareness and timely reporting. “If anyone receives such a call, they should hang up and contact the local police station or the national cybercrime helpline immediately,” Sohi added.
