Mumbai News: Senior Citizen Duped Of ₹7.72 Crore In 'Digital Arrest' Cyber Fraud

Mumbai: In yet another high-value cyber fraud case targeting senior citizens, the South Region Cyber Police Station has registered an FIR against unidentified fraudsters for duping an 83-year-old woman from South Mumbai of ₹7,72,80,000 under the pretext of a “digital arrest” lasting one month.

The case has been registered under multiple sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, including Sections 318(4), 319(2), 336(2)(3), 340(2), 204, 308(6), and 61(2), along with Sections 66(C) and 66(D) of the Information Technology Act, 2000.

Fake Police Calls and Threats

Between July 4 and August 11, the victim received calls from individuals posing as police officers — one identifying himself as “Inspector Ajay Basariya” and another as “Inspector Samadhan” from Colaba Police Station.

The fraudsters alleged that her Aadhaar card had been misused to open a bank account linked to large-scale money laundering. They further claimed that police complaints had already been filed against her and warned that both she and her children would be arrested, specifically threatening that her daughter would be taken into custody.

Coerced Transfers

Fearing arrest, the elderly woman was coerced into transferring a total of ₹7.72 crore into bank accounts provided by the scammers.

Ongoing Investigation

Senior Police Inspector Kharote confirmed that the accused used the “digital arrest” tactic — a growing cybercrime trend involving fake police calls, fabricated case files, and doctored documents to create fear and force compliance.

So far, no arrests have been made, and no money has been recovered. The police have initiated a technical investigation to trace the bank accounts and communication channels used in the fraud.