An elderly couple lost Rs 29.25 lakh in a digital arrest scam. Cyber criminals threatened the woman by claiming that she was involved in a money laundering case in Mumbai. They posed as police officers and investigative agency officials during WhatsApp video calls. The fraudsters told the couple that a criminal case had been registered against the woman at Colaba Police Station in Mumbai. They then questioned the couple under the pretext of an investigation. The accused created fear and put the couple under mental pressure. They warned them of legal action and convinced them to transfer money into various bank accounts.

 

The couple allegedly transferred a total of Rs 29.25 lakh. On October 16, the husband, identified as Padole, contacted the fraudsters to ask about the case and the money. They told him that the matter was still under process. However, the fraudsters stopped responding to his calls afterwards. This made him suspicious. The couple then discussed the matter with their relatives. They realised that they had been cheated and approached the Nagpur City Cyber Police Station to lodge a complaint. Cyber police registered a case under Sections 66(D) and 66(C) of the Information Technology Act. The FIR also invokes Sections 340(2), 338, 336(3), 319(2), 318(4), 3(5) and 204 of BNS.