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Mumbai Woman Loses ₹20.25 Crore in Shocking ‘Digital Arrest’ Aadhaar Scam

Posing as police officers, cybercriminals manipulated an 86-year-old woman into believing her Aadhaar was misused, forcing her into a ‘digital arrest’ and extorting over ₹20 crore.

Mumbai, March 17, 2025:

In a shocking case of cyber fraud, an 86-year-old woman from Mumbai fell victim to a sophisticated ‘digital arrest’ scam, losing ₹20.25 crore over two months. The scammers posed as police officials, falsely claiming that her Aadhaar card had been misused for illegal transactions and money laundering.

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According to reports, the fraud took place between December 26, 2024, and March 3, 2025, during which the woman was coerced into transferring money to multiple bank accounts.

How the Scam Unfolded

The scam began with a phone call from a fraudster impersonating a police officer, who told the victim that:

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A new bank account had been fraudulently opened in her name using her Aadhaar details.
The account was allegedly linked to money laundering and other illegal activities.
Legal action would be taken against her and her family, including her daughter, if she failed to cooperate.

To “clear her name,” the scammers demanded money transfers to various accounts, promising that her case would be settled.

‘Digital Arrest’: A Manipulation Tactic

The most disturbing aspect of this scam was the concept of ‘digital arrest’—a psychological trap used by cybercriminals to isolate victims from seeking help. Throughout the scam, the woman was:

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Instructed to cut off all external communication to prevent her from verifying the fraud.
Threatened with severe consequences if she disclosed the situation to anyone.
Kept in fear for weeks, leading her to comply with the fraudsters’ financial demands.

When the Truth Came Out

After realizing she had been manipulated, the victim filed a police complaint, triggering an immediate investigation. Authorities have since:

Tracked the financial transactions related to the fraud.
Detained multiple suspects linked to the scam.
Continued investigations to recover the stolen funds and identify the full extent of the fraud network.

Cybercrime on the Rise

This case is part of a growing trend of digital fraud targeting individuals through:

Aadhaar-related scams
Fake police calls
Online financial fraud
Deepfake identity manipulation

How to Protect Yourself from Such Scams:

Verify calls from authorities: Government agencies never demand payments over the phone.
Never share sensitive information: Aadhaar, bank details, or OTPs should not be disclosed.
Beware of ‘digital arrest’ tactics: No law enforcement agency can legally confine you digitally.
Report scams immediately: Contact cybercrime helplines and law enforcement at the first sign of fraud.
Educate senior citizens: Many scams target elderly individuals unfamiliar with cyber fraud tactics.

Conclusion

This alarming case underscores the urgent need for awareness and stronger cybercrime monitoring to prevent financial exploitation of vulnerable individuals. Authorities continue to track the scammers and urge citizens to remain vigilant against such sophisticated frauds.