76-Year-Old Woman Duped of ₹1.69 Crore in ‘Digital Arrest’ Scam

Cybercriminals pose as telecom and Crime Branch officials, threaten arrest in money laundering case

Pune : A 76-year-old retired woman from Bavdhan was allegedly cheated of ₹1,69,98,000 by cybercriminals who posed as officials from the Department of Telecommunications and the Crime Branch and threatened to arrest her in a money laundering case.

The fraud took place between August 20 and October 11, 2026. A case was registered at the Cyber Police Station on October 13.

According to the police, the woman resides in the Patilnagar area of Bavdhan. The accused allegedly contacted her over the phone and gradually drew her into a cyber fraud scheme.

Initially, one of the accused claimed to be calling from the Department of Telecommunications in New Delhi. He told the woman that complaints had been received regarding objectionable messages and obscene videos allegedly sent using a SIM card registered in her name.

Subsequently, another accused contacted her through a WhatsApp call, claiming to be a Crime Branch officer. He alleged that around 25 complaints had been received from different places in connection with her Canara Bank account. The accused further claimed that suspicious funds had been deposited into her account and accused her of involvement in money laundering.

The fraudsters allegedly threatened that she would be arrested in connection with the case, creating fear and panic.

To make their claims appear genuine, the accused allegedly invoked the names of senior police officials and showed her documents over WhatsApp calls, including an alleged arrest warrant bearing a Supreme Court seal. They also displayed other documents to reinforce their claims and exert psychological pressure on the woman.

After gaining her confidence, the accused obtained details of her bank accounts, fixed deposits (FDs) and other investments.

They then allegedly instructed her to transfer money from her accounts to various bank accounts provided by them, claiming that the funds needed to be verified as part of an investigation. The accused assured her that the money would be returned once the verification process was completed. They also allegedly showed her a receipt bearing a signature and seal on an RBI letterhead to make the transaction appear legitimate.

However, after the woman transferred the money, the accused did not return it. She was allegedly cheated of a total of ₹1,69,98,000.

A case has been registered under various sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, along with Sections 66C and 66D of the Information Technology Act, 2000. Police Inspector Gaw… is handling the further investigation, according to the information provided.

The incident highlights the growing threat of cyber fraud in which criminals impersonate law enforcement officials and use threats of arrest and fabricated legal documents to extort money from victims.