Gujarat is fast earning the unwanted distinction of being the epicentre of “digital arrest” frauds, with 2025 seeing an unprecedented surge in such cases. Police data shows that this form of cybercrime has dominated discussions at both state and national levels, as criminals impersonating law enforcement agencies extort money by placing victims under virtual confinement.
Between January 1 and November 30 alone, Gujarat recorded 498 complaints involving losses of Rs 76.9 crore. On average, victims lost about Rs 23 lakh every day, with nearly 10 new cases being reported each week. Nationwide, losses linked to digital arrest scams are estimated to be close to Rs 3,000 crore, making it one of the most damaging cyber frauds of the year.
One such case involved an 80-year-old retired resident of Ahmedabad and his 78-year-old wife, who were trapped in a terrifying ordeal that lasted more than two weeks. The nightmare began in early June when the elderly man received a WhatsApp call from a woman claiming to be an officer from the cybercrime branch in Bandra, Mumbai. Accused of being linked to illegal activities, the couple were subjected to continuous “interrogation” by multiple impostors posing as officials. Fake court summons were issued, and the couple were instructed to compile details of their finances as part of a so-called investigation. Under constant threat and fear of arrest, they were confined to their home and coerced into transferring funds, breaking fixed deposits and even taking a gold loan, eventually losing Rs 86 lakh.
Cybercrime officials say this pattern is typical of digital arrest scams, where fraudsters isolate victims psychologically and overwhelm them with fear. Among reported cases in Gujarat, digital arrests account for the highest financial losses, though experts believe the true scale is larger as many victims do not come forward due to embarrassment. An analysis of available complaints shows the average victim age to be around 62 years, with ages ranging from 29 to 80. Individual losses have varied widely, from Rs 1.2 lakh to as much as Rs 19.2 crore. While most scams last between one and 15 days, investigators have found instances where follow-ups continued for over two months.
According to officers from the Ahmedabad cybercrime cell, the most common tactic is threatening victims with charges of money laundering, a strategy used in more than half the cases. Victims are told that their identity documents were misused to open fraudulent bank accounts, allegedly making them accomplices in serious crimes punishable with life imprisonment. Fraudsters frequently invoke the names of agencies such as the cybercrime cell, crime branch or the CBI to create panic and prevent victims from verifying the claims.
Mental health experts also warn of the psychological toll of such frauds. Pravin Valera, coordinator of the Jeevan Aastha suicide prevention helpline, was quoted by an English newspaper noting that calls related to digital frauds have risen sharply this year. Victims often experience intense guilt and emotional distress, even when they were generally aware of cyber scams through media reports.
Senior officials stress that awareness remains the strongest defence. K L N Rao, DGP, CID (Crime), was quoted by the media saying that there has been a recent increase in people reporting attempted scams before losing money. Banks, too, have played a role by flagging and intervening in cases involving unusual withdrawals, offering a crucial line of defence against this growing cyber threat.
Also Read: Yet Another Digital Arrest Case In Gujarat, This Time In Patan https://www.vibesofindia.com/yet-another-digital-arrest-case-in-gujarat-this-time-in-patan/
