Scammers posed as government officials, using video calls to extort money
February 11, 2025: A family in Noida fell victim to a sophisticated cyber fraud, losing ₹1.10 crore after being digitally arrested for five days by scammers impersonating government officials, police reported on Monday.
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What is ‘Digital Arrest’?
‘Digital arrest‘ is an emerging cybercrime tactic where fraudsters pose as law enforcement officers, such as CBI or customs officials, and threaten victims with arrest through video calls. The scam is carried out under the pretense of an international drug trafficking case, coercing victims into transferring large sums of money.
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How the Noida Family Was Targeted
According to police, complainant Chandrabhan Paliwal received a call from an unknown number on February 1. The caller impersonated a telecom regulatory official and warned Paliwal that his SIM card would be blocked unless he contacted the Cyber Crime Branch in Mumbai.
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Shortly after, Paliwal received a video call from a man claiming to be an IPS officer from Mumbai’s Kolava Police Station. The fraudster accused him of extortion and money laundering, claiming that 24 cases were filed against him across different locations.
Family Held ‘Hostage’ Online
The scammers extended the threats to Paliwal’s wife and daughter, trapping them in fear by making similar video calls and demanding money to avoid “imminent arrest.”
Fearing legal consequences, Paliwal transferred ₹1.10 crore over five days to the scammers.
Investigation Underway
Deputy Commissioner of Police (Cyber Crime) Preeti Yadav confirmed that a case has been registered, and an investigation is in progress to track down the perpetrators.
This case highlights the growing menace of digital fraud, urging citizens to be cautious of suspicious calls and verify law enforcement credentials before responding to such threats.
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cybercrime, digital arrest scam, Noida fraud, cyber fraud India, online scam, fake police scam, cybercrime investigation, Noida news, digital extortion, cyber law enforcement