In yet another case of digital arrest reported from Gujarat, a 59-year-old retired teacher from Ahmedabad has lost staggering Rs 38.70 lakh.
According to reports, Mahesh Parmar, a resident of Jivraj Park area was virtually “held hostage” for nine days and cheated of Rs. 38.70 lakh. He filed a complaint with the City Cyber Crime Cell on Tuesday.
The FIR mentions that on September 12, the victim received a WhatsApp call. The caller identified himself as Ajay Mehta, TRAI official. The fraudster claimed that a SIM card registered on the victim’s Aadhaar card in Mumbai was being used to circulate pornographic videos. He even alleged that a case had been registered with the Mumbai Police.
How it happened
On September 15, the scammers staged a fake courtroom scene over video call and told the victim he would remain under a week-long “surveillance” and that he must transfer funds for “verification.”
Terrified by what was told to him, he transferred a total of Rs 38.70 lakh through bank transfers and RTGS into accounts specified by the impostors.
On one day, Roy told Parmar that the case will now be investigated by senior IPS Officer Vijay Khanna. The fake officer even spoke to the victim and the fraudsters had set up a set of the crime branch.
The victim was even told that his name has emerged in a money laundering case. The fraudsters set up a courtroom and showed as if a hearing was going on.
After receiving the fund, the fraudsters cut off all contact on September 12. Realising he had been duped, the victim approached the cybercrime cell and filed a complaint.
Investigation is on and further details are awaited.
Other cases
In the last two months, at least eight persons have become the victims of online cheating, including digital arrest.
A doctor from Gandhinagar was cheated of Rs 8 crore. She faced digital arrest and was told that she is involved in a scam in an airline. The doctor was told that the phone was from the Enforcement Directorate.
Similarly, a financial advisor lost Rs 57 lakh. He was told that he had done illegal transactions.
A retired officer lost Rs 61 lakh. He was promised better and higher returns in the share market. In yet another case, a factory owner lost Rs 1.04 crore. He was promised better returns in online trading.
What the police has to say
Ajit Rajian, DCP Crime, told Vibes of India that people should be careful and should not give out their details. At times people also lose control of their devices, he pointed out.
Rajian said that there is nothing called “digital arrest” in the legal system. These instances usually happen due to two reasons – lack of knowledge of cyber hygiene followed by the fear of the unknown.
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