Jalandhar: Cyber fraudsters swindled ₹10 lakhs from a retired government school teacher—who resides in a village near Kartarpur in the district—by instilling the fear of a ‘digital arrest.’ Posing as police officers, the fraudsters called the teacher and claimed that his son, who lives in Canada, had become entangled in a murder case. The fraudsters demanded money under the pretext of suppressing the matter. Panicked and falling for the ruse, the teacher transferred approximately ₹8 lakhs into various bank accounts. Later, by exerting renewed pressure, they extorted an additional ₹2 lakhs. For three days, the fraudsters kept the teacher under virtual house arrest via video calls.
What Does ‘Digital Arrest’ Mean?
‘Digital arrest’ is a new modus operandi used in cyber fraud. In this scheme, fraudsters pose as officials from the police, the CBI, the ED, or the Department of Telecommunications, initiating video calls via WhatsApp or Skype. They appear on camera wearing police uniforms and display fake arrest warrants. The victim is informed that a case—involving money laundering, drug trafficking, or murder—has been registered against them or a family member. They are then instructed not to leave their home “until the investigation is complete” and are kept under constant surveillance via video calls, 24/7. Driven by this fear, victims end up losing lakhs of rupees.
How Did the Fraudsters Trap the Teacher?
The victimized teacher from Kartarpur received a WhatsApp call from an international number. The caller identified himself as an officer from the Mumbai Police. He claimed that the teacher’s son had been arrested in Canada on charges of murder and that sensitive documents had been recovered from his phone. He further asserted that the entire family was now under suspicion. Citing “national security,” the fraudster threatened the teacher, warning that if he disclosed the matter to anyone, he would face imprisonment and heavy penalties. The teacher was instructed to report his presence via WhatsApp every three hours. Consumed by this terror, he first transferred ₹8 lakhs, followed by another ₹2 lakhs.
Has the police taken any action yet?
The victim has lodged a complaint with the Cyber Crime Cell in Jalandhar. The police have registered a case against unidentified fraudsters and have initiated an investigation. Preliminary inquiries have revealed that the bank accounts into which the money was transferred were opened at the GT Road, Kartarpur branch in Jalandhar. One of these accounts is held in the name of Manga Singh. The police are currently verifying whether the account is genuine or if it was opened using a fraudulent address. Over the past three months, 30 cases of ‘digital arrest’ have been reported in Jalandhar, with the elderly being the targets in 20 of these instances.
Why are the elderly becoming ‘soft targets’?
According to cyber experts, fraudsters specifically target the elderly because they are less familiar with technology and tend to become emotionally vulnerable when matters concerning their children arise. The fraudsters typically place calls late at night to ensure that the victim is unable to speak with their son or daughter. Upon hearing terms such as ‘arrest,’ ‘money laundering,’ or ‘digital arrest,’ the elderly often become mentally distressed and end up complying with every demand made by the fraudsters. In a similar incident, Jasbir Chand, a resident of Hargobind Nagar in Jalandhar, was defrauded of ₹2.70 lakh.
How can one avoid falling victim to such scams?
The police have categorically stated that no government agency conducts arrests or interrogations via WhatsApp calls. Furthermore, there is no legal provision known as ‘digital arrest.’ If you receive such a call, disconnect immediately and file a complaint on the cyber helpline number 1930. Never share your bank details, OTPs, or Aadhaar number. Always consult with your family members first. Refrain from clicking on any unfamiliar links. The police have appealed to the children of elderly citizens to raise awareness among their parents regarding this new type of fraud.
