Impostors used forged arrest papers, allegations of drug trafficking and money laundering, and sustained video calls to pressure a 72-year-old Nampally woman into transferring Rs2.20 crore.
Cyber criminals posing as Central Bureau of Investigation officials have allegedly cheated a 72-year-old woman from Nampally, Hyderabad, out of Rs2.20 crore in a “digital arrest” scam that used fear, forged documents and relentless pressure to keep her isolated and compliant. According to Telangana Today, the victim was contacted on a video call and told that a parcel in her name contained illegal drugs, while a bank account linked to her was said to be tied to money laundering.
The fraudsters reportedly reinforced the threat with a fake arrest warrant and claimed she faced imminent arrest unless she transferred money as a form of security deposit. Police said the woman was persuaded to send several payments to different bank accounts before realising she had been deceived. Additional Commissioner of Police M Srinivasulu said the loss totalled Rs2.20 crore.
The case fits a growing pattern in which scammers impersonate law-enforcement officers and use phone calls, WhatsApp messages and video calls to stage elaborate criminal allegations. Police said the impostors often rely on fake identity cards, forged notices and fabricated court papers to make the claims appear authentic, while telling victims to stay on video calls, keep away from relatives and lawyers, and hand over bank statements and investment details.
Recent cases elsewhere in India suggest the tactic is spreading and increasingly targeting older people. The Tribune reported that an 83-year-old retired bank officer in Chandigarh lost Rs29.80 lakh after being told that an arrest warrant had been issued in a money-laundering case. Siasat said a 90-year-old man in Hyderabad was cheated out of Rs18 lakh in a similar scam, while other reports from Mumbai, Delhi and Karnataka described losses running from Rs96 lakh to more than Rs15 crore in comparable schemes.
Disclaimer: This article is intended to inform and educate, not to recommend or endorse any financial product, investment or strategy. Please consider your own financial circumstances and seek professional advice where appropriate before making financial decisions.
