In Noida, scammers defrauded a 78-year-old elderly man of 60 lakh rupees under the guise of a 'digital arrest'. He was mentally held captive for two weeks through landline calls, video calls, and fake police identification.
Cyber Crime: A heart-wrenching cyber fraud has come to light in Noida, exposing new methods of cybercrime such as 'digital arrest'. Scammers mentally held a 78-year-old man captive for two weeks via a recorded landline call and swindled him of approximately 60 lakh rupees.
This incident not only raises questions about the cyber security system but also highlights the extent to which innocent people can become victims through the misuse of technology.
What is 'Digital Arrest'?
Digital arrest is a new cybercrime term in which the victim is mentally and digitally held captive, creating an environment of fear and confusion to coerce them into doing as the perpetrators wish.
As in this case—the victim was threatened on a video call by fake government officials, who claimed that his Aadhaar card had been used in criminal activities.
How did the fraud begin?
The incident began on June 18, 2025, when the victim received an automated voice call on his landline. The call stated that his phone service would be shut down in two hours. If he wanted information about this, he should press 3 on the dialpad.
As soon as the elderly man pressed 3, he fell into the trap of the scammers. The person on the call identified himself as Airtel executive 'Ravi Kumar' and claimed that his number was being shut down on the orders of the Mumbai Police because his information was being used in criminal activities.
WhatsApp, Video Calls, and the CBI Deception
After this, a 'confidential agreement' was sent to the victim on WhatsApp, which he was asked to sign. After this, he was added to a video call where the person present identified himself as CBI DCP Praveen Sood and Inspector Sanjay Singh.
During the video call, the elderly man was convinced that he was involved in serious criminal cases by using fake police uniforms and a government tone, and that he could only escape this case by 'cooperating'.
Cyber Terror that lasted for two weeks
From June 18 to June 30, 2025, the scammers continuously intimidated and threatened the elderly man through video calls and messages and forced him to make bank transactions.
The elderly man transferred an amount of more than 60 lakh rupees from his and his wife's accounts to the scammers through several RTGS transactions. The most shocking thing was that the scammers also warned him not to speak to anyone about this.
New Fraud Trend: 'Landline Call + Video Fear'
This case reveals a new toolkit of cybercriminals:
- Use of landline calls so that the call seems credible
- Reliance on recorded voices
- Video calls posing as government officials
- Fake documents and threatening messages
- Threat of 'digital arrest' i.e. you can't go out now, you can't tell anyone
How did the victim break the silence?
After living under constant fear and mental pressure, when the elderly man realized that he was trapped and his money was also running out, he blocked the scammers' number and lodged a complaint by going to the police station.
The police are now investigating the case through the cyber cell and the complete record of calls and transactions is being scrutinized.
How to protect yourself?
Some essential precautions to avoid this type of fraud:
- There is never any need to be afraid through calls or messages — No officer in India performs a 'digital arrest' via video call or WhatsApp.
- 'Be suspicious' of calls from unknown numbers — Especially when someone asks you for money or to share documents.
- Don't hide things from your family — The biggest strategy of the thugs is to isolate you from others.
- Inform the police or cyber cell immediately — Loss can be prevented by reporting in time.
- Think again before RTGS or any type of transaction — And seek advice from a trusted person.
