A Noida family lost over Rs 1 crore to cyber fraud after being held under ‘digital arrest’ for five days by scammers posing as government officials, police reported on Monday.
According to police, the fraudsters used video calls to impersonate law enforcement officers and forced the victims into paying large sums of money under false pretences.
Victim threatened with legal action
The fraud began on February 1 when Chandrabhan Paliwal received a call from an unknown number, claiming to be from the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India. The caller falsely warned him that his SIM card would be blocked. Soon after, a second caller, pretending to be an IPS officer from Mumbai’s Kolava Police Station, contacted Paliwal via video call.
Deputy Commissioner of Police (Cyber Crime) Preeti Yadav stated that the fake officer accused Paliwal of extortion and claimed that 24 criminal cases were registered against him in various locations. The fraudsters further alleged that the CBI was investigating him for money laundering, increasing the pressure on him.
Digital arrest
The scammers extended their deception to Paliwal’s wife and daughter, making similar video calls and threatening immediate arrest unless they paid. Over five days, the terrified family transferred Rs 1.1 crore to the fraudsters.
After realising the scam, Paliwal reported the incident to the police. Authorities have registered a case and launched an investigation to track down the perpetrators.
(With PTI inputs)