Police have arrested six people in connection with a sophisticated “digital arrest” cyber fraud case in which an elderly woman in Bengaluru was allegedly cheated out of nearly ₹24 crore, officials said on Monday.
According to the police, the accused were part of a wider cybercrime network that used intimidation tactics, impersonation of law enforcement officers, and video calls to trap the victim. The fraudsters allegedly convinced the woman that she was under “digital arrest” in a fake criminal case and pressured her into transferring large sums of money over a period of time.
Investigators said the scammers posed as officials from central agencies and threatened the victim with arrest and legal action unless she complied with their instructions. Under constant psychological pressure and surveillance-like communication, the victim reportedly transferred funds through multiple bank accounts and digital channels.
The case came to light after the victim confided in family members, who then approached the police. A complaint was subsequently filed, leading to a coordinated cybercrime investigation. Authorities tracked financial transactions and digital footprints, which helped identify and apprehend the suspects from multiple locations.
Police officials stated that the arrested individuals were involved in laundering the stolen money through a network of mule accounts and shell entities. Initial findings suggest that the scam may have interstate and international links, prompting further investigation.
The Bengaluru Police Cyber Crime Division has warned citizens about the growing trend of “digital arrest” scams, where fraudsters use fear and authority to manipulate victims, particularly senior citizens. Officials clarified that no law enforcement agency in India conducts arrests or investigations through video calls or demands money to avoid legal action.
Cybersecurity experts say such scams have been increasing rapidly, with criminals exploiting fear, lack of digital awareness, and advanced spoofing techniques to impersonate officials. They have urged the public to verify any suspicious calls and immediately report such incidents to cybercrime helplines.
Police have also begun tracing additional suspects and financial beneficiaries linked to the racket. Efforts are underway to recover the defrauded money, though officials acknowledged that the process is complex due to rapid fund transfers across multiple accounts.
The incident has raised fresh concerns over cyber safety among elderly citizens, with authorities planning awareness campaigns to educate the public about emerging online fraud techniques.
Investigations into the full extent of the ₹24 crore scam are ongoing.
