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In a troubling incident highlighting the rise of cyber crime in India, a 44-year-old IT employee from Hyderabad was the target of an elaborate scam where he was held under "digital arrest" for almost 30 hours. The ordeal began in the early hours of October 26 when the victim received threatening messages claiming his mobile number and Aadhar ID were linked to a money laundering case filed in Mumbai.
Despite initially ignoring the text messages, the situation escalated when the fraudsters, posing as Mumbai police officials, initiated voice and video calls through an instant messaging app at 3 AM. They threatened him with imminent arrest and demanded ₹40 lakh for his release, instructing him to remain on the call and not to disclose the situation to anyone, including his family.
The scammers sent him fake documents, including an FIR and a court warrant, further intensifying his fear. They coerced him into revealing details about his finances, learning that he had ₹25 lakh in various bank accounts. They then instructed him to leave his home for a hotel, claiming that police were searching for him.
Following their directions, the techie drove approximately 15 kilometers to a lodge in Ameerpet, all while remaining on the call with the criminals, who continued to monitor him closely. They led him to believe that the "verification process" would last until October 28, during which he could arrange an RTGS payment to secure his release.
The turning point occurred when the call was unexpectedly disconnected around 4 AM on October 27. Seizing the moment, the techie reached out to the Cyber Crime Police, who reassured him it was a fraud and advised him to block the scammers. With the help of a police constable, he was able to safely exit the situation, as his neighbor picked him up from the lodge.
Despite the harrowing experience, the techie chose not to file a complaint since he did not lose any money. The case underscores the alarming prevalence of cyber scams in India, particularly "digital arrest" schemes that exploit victims' fears to extract money and sensitive information.
The Computer Emergency Response Team of India (CERT-In) has issued warnings regarding such scams, emphasizing the need for vigilance against online threats. Victims are advised to report suspicious communications and seek help from authorities instead of engaging with potential scammers.
