72-year-old Hyderabad woman loses ₹2.2 crore in digital arrest scam
A 72-year-old woman from Hyderabad lost ₹2.20 crore in a 'digital arrest' scam after fraudsters impersonated a CBI officer, threatened her with arrest over fabricated drug trafficking and money laundering charges, and coerced her into transferring money. Police have issued a public advisory, warning citizens about such scams and providing contact information for reporting cyber fraud.
Why it matters
This incident underscores the growing threat of sophisticated cyber scams targeting vulnerable individuals, highlighting the critical need for public awareness and vigilance against digital fraud and identity theft.
A 72-year-old woman from Nampally lost ₹2.20 crore to cyber fraudsters, one of whom impersonated a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) officer and threatened to arrest her over fabricated allegations of drug trafficking and money laundering.
According to the police, the victim received a video call from a person claiming to be a CBI officer. The caller told her that a parcel containing illegal drugs had been booked on her name and that a bank account linked to her was involved in money laundering. The fraudster displayed a fake arrest warrant and threatened her with arrest.
Under the pretext of collecting security deposits, the fraudsters coerced the woman into transferring multiple amounts to different bank accounts, resulting in a total loss of ₹2.20 crore.
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