A physician from Gujrat suffered a financial loss of 19 crores due to a digital arrest swindle. Here's an account of the events.
India Witnesses Largest Known Case of Digital Arrest Fraud
A doctor based in Gujarat's Gandhinagar has become the latest victim of digital arrest fraud, losing an astonishing Rs 19 crore over a span of three months. This case may be one of the largest known cases of digital arrest fraud in India in terms of the money siphoned from a single victim.
The fraudsters posed as officials, including a sub-inspector and a public prosecutor, to create fear and force the doctor into submission. The cybercrime unit of Gujarat CID began probing the case on July 16.
The scam started on March 15 with a phone call claiming objectionable content was detected on the doctor's mobile phone. The caller threatened to disconnect her phone connection and implicate her in a money laundering case. Manipulated into believing these threats, the doctor was compelled to share her movements over video calls, reporting her location whenever she stepped outside.
The scammers then used her credentials to take a loan against her gold jewellery and transfer those funds. A significant portion of the money has been traced, but a large chunk remains unrecovered, having been dispersed across multiple accounts.
This case follows a series of digital arrest fraud incidents in India, where elderly victims have been targeted and defrauded of substantial amounts. In August 2025, an 81-year-old woman in Mumbai lost Rs 7.8 crore, one of the highest single-victim losses reported. A man was arrested by Mumbai police in connection with this case.
Similarly, in July 2025, an elderly woman in Chandigarh was tricked into transferring Rs 1.01 crore under similar fraudulent pretenses involving impersonation of CBI officials. Police arrested 10 perpetrators and froze Rs 36 lakh, which is slated for return to the victim.
In another case from August 2025, a 76-year-old retired engineer in Delhi lost Rs 9 lakh to scammers impersonating CBI officers using digital arrest threats. The accused, Sonu Ansari, was arrested; investigations suggest possible international links in the scam network.
Police have increasingly identified and arrested key operatives involved in these scams, often members of organized fraud networks using social media and fake documents to deceive victims. Recovery of funds is partial, with authorities concerned about the use of mule accounts and possible cross-border links, complicating recovery efforts and enabling the network's resilience.
Cyber cells across major cities like Mumbai, Delhi, and Chennai are conducting awareness drives and sensitization campaigns to prevent further victimization, especially among vulnerable elderly and women who are disproportionately targeted.
Himani Jha, a tech news writer at the platform, has been contributing to leading publications for the past five years. In her free time, she enjoys exploring the local culinary scene, discovering new cafes and restaurants. The search for the masterminds of the scam is ongoing.
In the ongoing search for the masterminds of the scam, technology and cybersecurity are playing crucial roles in the investigations, as the fraudsters used smartphones to execute digital arrest threats and gain access to victim's personal and financial information. The scam, which has affected multiple elderly victims and resulted in substantial losses, underscores the importance of general-news and crime-and-justice outlets to raise awareness about such cybercrimes and provide guidance on maintaining cybersecurity.
