On December 1st, 2024, a shocking incident occurred in Mumbai where a 26-year-old woman from Borivali East was duped of Rs. 1.7 lakh in a digital arrest scam. The woman, who works in the pharmaceutical industry, received a call on November 19 from scammers claiming to be officers from the Delhi Police. They informed her that her name was involved in a money laundering case linked to Naresh Goyal, the jailed chairman of Jet Airways, despite her having no connection to the airline.
The scammers threatened the woman with arrest and instructed her to book a hotel room for further investigation as she was placed under ‘digital arrest’. During a video call, she was asked to strip naked for ‘body verification’ and transfer Rs. 1.7 lakh for ‘bank details verification’. Unfortunately, she complied with their demands and transferred the money before realizing it was a scam. She reported the incident to the police on November 28, leading to the registration of a case under BNS and IT Act with an ongoing investigation by the Mumbai Police.
This type of scam, known as Digital Arrest, involves perpetrators calling individuals, often through WhatsApp, claiming to be government officials conducting an investigation. Victims are coerced into staying on video calls, keeping the case confidential, and transferring money for supposed verification purposes with the promise of reimbursement if found innocent. Notably, industrialist Paul Oswal fell victim to a similar scheme losing Rs. 7 crore using Naresh Goyal’s name, while a 77-year-old in Mumbai lost Rs. 3.8 crore over a month in a related incident. Authorities are warning the public to remain vigilant against such fraudulent calls.
The rise in digital arrest scams underscores the importance of awareness and caution when responding to unsolicited calls or messages. It is crucial for individuals to verify the authenticity of any communication from purported officials and refrain from sharing personal or financial information without validation. As technology advances, so do the tactics of scammers, making it essential for the public to stay informed and vigilant to protect themselves from falling victim to such fraudulent schemes.
