Retired doctor dies after 70-hour ‘digital arrest’ by cyber fraudsters in Hyderabad

A 76-year-old retired doctor in Hyderabad died of a heart attack after a 70-hour “digital arrest” by cyber fraudsters posing as officials. The gang extorted Rs 6.6 lakh, harassed her with fake notices, and continued messaging even after her death.

Hyderabad: A 76-year-old retired government doctor died of a heart attack allegedly after being subjected to a 70-hour digital arrest by cyber fraudsters.

The victim, targeted on September 6, was falsely accused of involvement in human trafficking by conmen posing as police and enforcement officials.

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Using forged documents bearing the logos of the Supreme Court, ED and RBI, they coerced her into transferring Rs 6.6 lakh from her pension account to a shell bank account in Maharashtra.

Despite the payment, the harassment continued through video calls and fake court notices, leaving the elderly woman in severe distress.

On September 8, she collapsed with chest pain and was declared dead the next day. Shockingly, the fraudsters continued to send messages even after her death.

Police have registered a case under the IT Act and other laws, including charges of culpable homicide not amounting to murder, and are tracking the suspects through phone records and bank transactions.