‘Digital Arrest’ Scam: Thane Senior Citizen Duped of ₹1.56 Crore

Thane, March 11:A 64-year-old man from Thane district has lost₹1.56 crore in an elaborate cyber fraud in which criminals impersonating police officials placed him under a so-called “digital arrest” for almost a month, police said on Wednesday.

According to officials, the victim from Katrap in Badlapur was targeted between February 12 and March 7 by fraudsters who contacted him from multiple mobile numbers, claiming he was under investigation for allegedly sending obscene content to several women.

To make the threat appear genuine, the accused shared fabricated documents, including fake Mumbai Police FIRs, a forged bank letter, ATM card images and counterfeit Interpol Red Corner notices.

Police said the scammers pressured the victim into installing the Signal messaging app on his wife’s phone and kept him under continuous audio and video monitoring. They warned him not to contact anyone while claiming his Aadhaar and bank details were linked to a money-laundering probe involving a prominent individual.

Creating panic, the fraudsters told the victim that his bank accounts needed verification by the Reserve Bank of India and instructed him to transfer his savings. Believing the claims, he transferred ₹1,56,45,000 to multiple bank accounts through RTGS.

The victim later realised he had been cheated and filed a complaint on Monday. Police registered a case under relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and the Information Technology Act. No arrests have been made so far, and investigators are working to trace the suspects and track the money trail.

Last month, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis warned that “digital arrest” claims are fraudulent and have no legal basis, urging citizens to remain alert. Authorities also advise victims to report cyber frauds to the helpline 1930 within the “golden hour,” when a large portion of the money can still be recovered.