Hyderabad: Senior citizen loses Rs 26 lakh in ‘digital arrest’ scam

A 68-year-old man in Hyderabad lost Rs 26 lakh to cyber fraudsters posing as ATS, NIA, and DGP officials, accusing him of links to the Pahalgam terror attack. Police warn that digital arrests are fake and urge victims to report

Hyderabad: Cyber fraudsters put a senior citizen in Hyderabad under ‘digital arrest’ over alleged links to the Pahalgam terror attack in Kashmir, and duped him of Rs 26 lakh.

The 68-year-old man from Humayun Nagar was targeted by the fraudsters who impersonated officials from the ATS, NIA, and even the DGP, and cheated him of Rs 26.06 lakh.

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The victim had received calls accusing him of links to money laundering and the Pahalgam terror attack in Kashmir. During WhatsApp video calls, the fraudsters displayed forged arrest warrants and RBI letters to threaten him.

“Under fear, he prematurely closed fixed deposits and transferred about Rs 6 lakh from his bank account and Rs 20 lakh from his wife’s account into a bank account shared by the fraudsters,” cybercrime officials said.

Police clarified that there is no such thing as a digital arrest and law enforcement never demands money for clearing names or issuing certificates.

Victims of such frauds are advised to immediately call 1930 cybercrime helpline or lodge complaints at www.cybercrime.gov.in.