Retired Soldier Duped of ₹61.29 Lakh in Sophisticated Digital Arrest Scam
A retired soldier turned teacher from Himachal Pradesh has become the latest victim of a sophisticated digital fraud, losing a staggering ₹61.29 lakh. The scammers, posing as Mumbai police officials, used fear and manipulation to coerce the victim into transferring his entire savings. This alarming incident, which has shaken the residents of Una district, was registered at the Haroli police station, drawing attention to the growing threat of cybercrimes in the region.
The Deceptive Scam: How It Unfolded
On November 22, while the victim was working in his fields, he received a message from someone claiming to be Inspector Hemraj Koli from the Mumbai Police. The message stated that 17 complaints had been filed against him at the Tilak Nagar Police Station in Mumbai. Soon after, another individual, posing as Sub-Inspector Sandeep Rao, contacted him, claiming that a man named Naresh Goyal had been arrested in a money laundering case. The fraudster further alleged that the victim’s ATM card had been found during the investigation.
The scammers sent fake documents, such as arrest memos and legal notices, to convince the victim of their legitimacy. They also manipulated him by suggesting that the case was related to national security, creating a sense of panic. This manipulation pushed the victim to comply, transferring all his savings under the guise of assisting with an official investigation.
A Step-by-Step Breakdown of the Financial Drain
The fraudsters methodically drained the victim’s finances over several days:
- ₹27.5 lakh was withdrawn from the victim’s wife’s fixed deposits and transferred via RTGS.
- ₹15 lakh was taken from his Senior Citizen Savings Scheme.
- Mutual funds worth ₹5.87 lakh were siphoned off.
- ₹18.79 lakh from joint accounts was also transferred to the fraudsters.
To maintain control and keep the victim compliant, the scammers sent fake Supreme Court receipts to legitimize the transactions. They further demanded that the victim report to them every two hours via WhatsApp, adding more pressure to the situation.
Realizing the Fraud and Taking Action
The scam came to light when the victim, using his wife’s phone, attempted to verify the identity of the person posing as Sub-Inspector Sandeep Rao. After realizing that the interaction was a scam, the victim immediately contacted the police. However, by then, the fraudsters escalated their threats, warning that they would harm him if additional payments were not made.
Growing Cyber Fraud Menace in Himachal Pradesh
This case is not an isolated incident. Digital arrest frauds have become increasingly common across Himachal Pradesh, with several similar scams reported in recent months:
- In Kangra, a retired government employee lost ₹18 lakh after scammers accused him of being involved in a fabricated drug trafficking case.
- A Shimla resident was duped of ₹9 lakh when fraudsters linked his bank account to a fake money laundering investigation.
- In Mandi, a businessman was tricked into transferring ₹22 lakh following fake Income Tax notices alleging tax evasion.
Understanding Digital Arrest Fraud
Digital arrest frauds involve scammers impersonating police or government officials and accusing victims of fabricated crimes, often with the goal of extorting money. The fraudsters use fake IDs, court documents, and even fabricated receipts to create a sense of legitimacy and urgency.
Common tactics include:
- Creating fake accusations of crimes or legal violations.
- Instilling fear by threatening legal consequences or physical harm.
- Sending fake receipts, court notices, or arrest documents to make the scam appear credible.
Prevention and Safety Tips
To protect themselves from falling victim to such scams, authorities advise residents to follow these crucial steps:
- Verify Claims: Always verify any claims of legal accusations directly with official police or government authorities.
- Stay Calm: Legitimate officials will never ask for money over the phone or through online transactions.
- Report Suspicious Activity: Immediately report any suspicious calls or messages to local police or the national cybercrime portal.
Ongoing Police Investigation
Haroli police station in-charge, Sunil Sankhyan, confirmed that an FIR has been registered, and the investigation is actively underway. Cybercrime experts are working alongside local police to track the fraudsters and recover the victim’s stolen funds.
This case serves as a stark reminder of the increasing sophistication of cyber frauds and the need for heightened awareness. Authorities are urging the public to remain vigilant, verify suspicious claims, and prioritize financial safety to prevent further incidents of digital fraud in the region.
Continuing the achievement of the journey of effectiveness and credibility of more than 10 years in the career of journalism, as a woman journalist, I am Serving as the founder, promoter and editor of DiaryTimes with the trust and support of all. My credible coverage may not have given a big shape to the numbers, but my journey presents articles that make you aware of the exact and meaningful situations of Himachal’s politics, ground issues related to the public, business, tourism and the difficult geographical conditions of the state and financial awareness. DiaryTimes, full of the experience of my precise editorial expertise, is awakening the flame of credible journalism among all of you, so that the eternal flame of meaningful change can be lit in the life of the people of the state and the atrocities being committed against the people can be brought to the fore, I am motivated for that. If even a small change comes with the power of my journalism and the whole world becomes a witness to that issues, then I will consider myself fortunate.
