₹3.21 Crore Lost In Noida’s Biggest ‘Digital Arrest’ Cybercrime Case
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A family in Noida has lost a staggering ₹3.21 crore after being trapped in a 38-day-long ‘digital arrest’ orchestrated by cyber fraudsters, police confirmed on Tuesday. The ordeal, which began on July 16 and ended on August 22, kept the family confined inside their home under constant virtual surveillance.
The nightmare finally ended when the victim’s daughter gathered the courage to approach the cybercrime branch in Noida. Officers immediately informed her that the ongoing calls were fraudulent, and the connection was terminated.
How the Fraudsters Trapped the Family
The complainant, a private firm employee, lives with her retired Indian Air Force officer father and homemaker mother in Noida’s upscale Sector 25.
The ordeal began when her father received a call from an unidentified number claiming to be from TRAI. The caller accused him of using his Aadhaar number to circulate illegal advertisements, pornographic videos, and harassing text messages.
“Her father was directed to call the Mumbai Crime Branch and was told that his Aadhaar card had been used to open a current account in a private bank in Mumbai and it was used to launder money and in an identity theft case,” said a police officer, requesting anonymity.
When the retired officer explained that he was a senior citizen, fraudsters escalated the threat. The family was told they were under ‘digital arrest’.
Digital Arrest via WhatsApp Surveillance
According to the FIR, the fraudsters set up 24x7 video surveillance through WhatsApp. “With 24x7 video surveillance via WhatsApp. They (suspects) then placed us in front of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) court judge via a WhatsApp link,” the FIR stated.
The scammers then pressured the family to transfer all their savings into a so-called ‘verification’ bank account. Over several transactions, a total of ₹3.21 crore was drained via RTGS transfers.
Case Registered and Probe Underway
On August 22, when the daughter was permitted to step outside for work, she approached the Cybercrime Branch police station. SHO Ranjeet Singh of the cybercrime branch confirmed that the fraud was immediately identified.
A formal complaint was registered under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) for extortion, cheating, and impersonation. Police said further investigation is ongoing to track down the suspects.
The nightmare finally ended when the victim’s daughter gathered the courage to approach the cybercrime branch in Noida. Officers immediately informed her that the ongoing calls were fraudulent, and the connection was terminated.
How the Fraudsters Trapped the Family
The complainant, a private firm employee, lives with her retired Indian Air Force officer father and homemaker mother in Noida’s upscale Sector 25.
The ordeal began when her father received a call from an unidentified number claiming to be from TRAI. The caller accused him of using his Aadhaar number to circulate illegal advertisements, pornographic videos, and harassing text messages.
“Her father was directed to call the Mumbai Crime Branch and was told that his Aadhaar card had been used to open a current account in a private bank in Mumbai and it was used to launder money and in an identity theft case,” said a police officer, requesting anonymity.
When the retired officer explained that he was a senior citizen, fraudsters escalated the threat. The family was told they were under ‘digital arrest’.
Digital Arrest via WhatsApp Surveillance
According to the FIR, the fraudsters set up 24x7 video surveillance through WhatsApp. “With 24x7 video surveillance via WhatsApp. They (suspects) then placed us in front of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) court judge via a WhatsApp link,” the FIR stated.
The scammers then pressured the family to transfer all their savings into a so-called ‘verification’ bank account. Over several transactions, a total of ₹3.21 crore was drained via RTGS transfers.
Case Registered and Probe Underway
On August 22, when the daughter was permitted to step outside for work, she approached the Cybercrime Branch police station. SHO Ranjeet Singh of the cybercrime branch confirmed that the fraud was immediately identified.
A formal complaint was registered under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) for extortion, cheating, and impersonation. Police said further investigation is ongoing to track down the suspects.
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