A doctor residing in Gandhinagar, Gujarat, has become the latest victim of a sophisticated digital arrest scam, suffering a loss of ₹19 crore. The cybercriminals ensnared the doctor for three months using threats and manipulation. The ordeal commenced on March 15, when she received a call claiming that illicit content was found on her mobile device. The caller, masquerading as a law enforcement agent, threatened her with phone disconnection and allegations of money laundering if she did not comply. Over time, the doctor, overwhelmed by threats, was coerced into transferring her entire life savings to 35 different bank accounts. The fraudsters went a step further by utilizing her credentials to secure a loan against her gold jewelry and subsequently transferring the funds. Under constant duress, the doctor was compelled to share her activities through video calls and disclose her location. When the calls abruptly ceased, she sensed something was amiss and alerted her family. However, the damage was irreversible. Following a complaint lodged on July 16, the Gujarat CID’s cybercrime unit launched an investigation. Authorities believe this could be among the most significant digital arrest scams in India, with a single victim incurring such a massive loss.
During the investigation, authorities apprehended a suspect in Surat, whose bank account contained approximately ₹1 crore of the stolen funds. Further interrogation is underway to identify the full scope of the criminal network. The digital arrest scam is a form of cyber fraud where criminals impersonate officials from law enforcement agencies like the CBI, police, cyber cell, or ED to intimidate and deceive individuals.