Bengaluru Techie Falls Victim to ‘Digital Arrest’ Scam, Loses ₹11.8 Crore
In a shocking incident that highlights the growing menace of online frauds, a Bengaluru-based tech professional has lost a staggering ₹11.8 crore to a ‘digital arrest’ scam. The victim, whose identity has not been disclosed, was duped by a group of cybercriminals who claimed that his Aadhaar card was being misused to open fraudulent bank accounts in his name.
The scam began when the victim received a phone call from an individual posing as a government official. The caller informed the techie that his Aadhaar details had been compromised, and that a “digital arrest” was imminent unless immediate action was taken. In an attempt to protect himself, the victim was instructed to transfer large sums of money to various accounts under the guise of “securing his assets” and avoiding legal consequences.
Believing the scammer’s claims and fearing legal repercussions, the techie transferred the requested funds, amounting to ₹11.8 crore over several transactions. It was only after a few days, when the victim realized no official government communication had been sent, that he started to suspect foul play. By then, the fraudsters had already vanished with the money.
The Bengaluru police have launched an investigation into the case, and a team of cybercrime experts is working to track the perpetrators. Authorities are urging the public to be cautious about unsolicited calls or messages, especially those involving threats of legal actions or demands for immediate financial transfers.
The incident has raised alarms about the increasing sophistication of online scams, with fraudsters now using more convincing tactics to prey on unsuspecting victims. Cybersecurity experts emphasize the importance of verifying any such claims through official channels before taking any action.
Authorities have also reminded citizens to avoid sharing sensitive personal information, such as Aadhaar details, with unknown individuals or over insecure platforms. The Bengaluru police have advised the public to report such suspicious activities immediately and urged them to be vigilant when receiving unverified communications claiming to be from government or financial institutions.
This unfortunate event underscores the need for better awareness around digital frauds and serves as a stark reminder to always verify before taking any drastic financial decisions.