In a shocking incident highlighting the escalating sophistication of cybercrime, a 26-year-old woman from Borivali East, Mumbai, was stripped and defrauded of ₹1.8 lakh by scam artists posing as Delhi Police officers. The incident, reported by NDTV, unfolded on November 19th when the victim received a phone call claiming her name was implicated in a money laundering investigation linked to Naresh Goyal, the jailed founder-chairman of Jet Airways.
The deceptive call quickly escalated into a video call, where the perpetrators informed the victim she was under ‘digital arrest,’ a term with no legal basis. They instructed her to maintain constant video contact and avoid contacting anyone else, exploiting her fear and confusion. Following their instructions, she booked a hotel room, unwittingly providing a secluded location for the scam to continue uninterrupted.
Under the guise of ‘body verification,’ a deeply disturbing element of the scam emerged – the fraudsters demanded that the woman disrobe during the video call. Having established control and trust through this violation, they proceeded to demand ₹1,78,000, claiming it was necessary to verify her bank account details. The victim, employed by a pharmaceutical company, transferred the funds before realizing the horrific extent of the deception.
On November 28th, the woman filed a police complaint, leading to the registration of a case under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and the Information Technology Act. Investigations are ongoing. This incident underscores a disturbing trend: while these ‘digital arrest’ scams initially targeted primarily older, less tech-savvy individuals, younger adults are increasingly becoming victims.
The fraudulent use of the term ‘digital arrest’ is crucial to understanding the scam’s effectiveness. It leverages fear and the perceived authority of law enforcement to manipulate victims into compliance. There is no such thing as a ‘digital’ or ‘virtual’ arrest; it’s a purely fabricated concept used to exploit vulnerable individuals. This case serves as a stark warning to remain vigilant against online scams, especially those involving unexpected calls from alleged authorities. Authorities urge citizens to report any suspicious contacts immediately to prevent further victimization. The police are actively investigating this case and are encouraging anyone with similar experiences to come forward.
This incident highlights the urgent need for increased public awareness about online scams and the importance of verifying the identity of anyone claiming to be a law enforcement officer. Authorities advise citizens to never share personal information, financial details, or engage in video calls with unknown individuals who make such alarming claims. Always contact the official police department or agency directly to verify any claims made by suspicious callers.
