A 67-year-old retired government doctor from Coimbatore fell victim to a ‘digital arrest’ scam, losing Rs 98 lakh after being deceived by fraudsters impersonating police and CBI officials. The incident highlights a surge in online fraud cases in Tamil Nadu, prompting police warnings against such schemes.
A 67-year-old retired government doctor in Coimbatore has reportedly lost Rs 98 lakh after fraudsters posing as senior police and CBI officers tricked her with a so-called “digital arrest” scam, according to Medical Dialogues and a Times of India report cited in its account. The woman, who lives in Sivananda Colony with her elderly mother, was contacted on WhatsApp in June and told that illegal transfers had been made through a bank account in her name.
The callers allegedly ordered her to remain inside her home while they carried out an investigation, claiming she was under “digital arrest”. They also instructed her to move money into multiple accounts for “verification”, promising it would be returned once the inquiry ended. Believing the warnings, the doctor reportedly spent about 10 days under intense pressure before transferring the money in several instalments, after which the callers cut off contact.
The case comes amid a broader rise in cyber fraud in Coimbatore. Police have said they received more than 6,500 complaints of online fraud this year, with losses approaching Rs 48 crore. In previous cases, Tamil Nadu cybercrime authorities have had to intervene in similar scams, including one in July 2025 in which officers rescued a Coimbatore doctor who had already transferred Rs 2.9 crore to scammers posing as Mumbai cybercrime police.
Officials have repeatedly warned that “digital arrest” is not a real law-enforcement procedure. Police do not carry out investigations through video calls, and they do not ask members of the public to transfer money for checking or verification. Authorities advise anyone who receives a suspicious call to contact the cybercrime helpline on 1930 or file a complaint through cybercrime.gov.in.
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.
