Bengaluru woman loses Rs 31.83 cr in months-long digital arrest scam involving fake CBI officers
Bengaluru (PTI): A 57-year-old woman here allegedly lost about Rs 32 crore in a sophisticated "digital arrest" scam that lasted over six months, following which a case has been registered.
Posing as CBI officers, the fraudsters enforced a "digital arrest" by holding her under constant Skype surveillance. They used threats of arrest to coerce her into sharing all financial details and to make 187 bank transfers.
In her complaint, the software engineer of Indiranagar in the city stated that the ordeal lasted for over six months, until she got a 'clearance letter' from the fraudsters.
It began on September 15, 2024, with a call from a person claiming to be from DHL Andheri, alleging that a parcel booked in her name contained credit cards, passports and MDMA, and said her identity had been misused.
Before the woman could respond, the call was transferred to people posing as CBI officers, who threatened her and claimed "all evidence is against you".
The impostors warned her against contacting the police, saying criminals were watching her home. Fearing for her family and her son’s upcoming wedding, she remained silent.
The woman was instructed to install two Skype IDs and remain on video. A man identifying himself as Mohit Handa monitored her for two days, followed by Rahul Yadav, who watched her for a week.
Another impersonator, Pradeep Singh, posed as a senior CBI officer and pressured her to prove her innocence.
The complainant further said that the group appeared to know her phone activity and location, heightening her fear. They told her to verify all her assets with the Financial Intelligence Unit of the RBI and produced forged letters to make it appear official.
From 24 September to 22 October, Umarani shared details of her finances and transferred large sums.
Between 24 October and 3 November, she deposited a supposed surety amount of Rs two crore, followed by further payments for "taxes".
She was promised a clearance letter before her son’s engagement on December 6, and received a fake one.
The pressure left the woman mentally and physically unwell.
Finally, the victim received the clearance letter on December 1, allowing the engagement to proceed. But she fell seriously ill after that, requiring a month of medical treatment to recover.
"All this time I had to report over Skype where I am and what I am doing. This person, Pradeep Singh, was in touch daily. I was told that money will be returned by February 25 after completion of all procedures," she added.
Post December, the scammers demanded processing charges, repeatedly delaying refunds to February, then March. All communication ceased on March 26, 2025.
The complainant waited until after her son’s wedding in June to come forward and lodge a complaint.
"In total, through 187 transactions. I stand deprived of a total amount of approximately Rs 31.83 crores, which were deposited by me," she said.
The woman has asked the authorities to investigate the entire incident.
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India moving towards becoming global economic powerhouse: Kovind
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Amritsar (PTI): Former president Ram Nath Kovind on Friday said that with digital transformation, economic reforms and a strong focus on the ease of doing business, India is moving towards becoming a global economic powerhouse.
He was speaking after inaugurating the 19th edition of the Punjab International Trade Expo (PITEX) in Amritsar.
The former president said that this 19th edition of PITEX is being organised at a time when India is recognised as one of the fastest-growing large economies in the world.
Speaking at the inaugural ceremony of the event organised by the PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PHDCCI) the former president, while referring to Punjab, said the state is a living example of courage, sacrifice and enterprise.
"The spiritual light of Sri Harmandir Sahib (Golden Temple) inspires peace and humanity across the world. The heritage of Punjab is deep and inspiring," Kovind said, according to a statement issued by the PITEX.
The former president congratulated the PHDCCI for hosting the 19th edition of PITEX and suggested that the chamber should expand PITEX outside Punjab.
He proposed that a similar event should also be held in New Delhi.
