Woman loses Rs 31.83 cr in Bengaluru 'Digital Arrest Scam'

A 57-year-old woman here allegedly lost about Rs 32 crore in a sophisticated “digital arrest” scam that lasted over six months, following which a case has been registered.

Posing as CBI officers, the fraudsters enforced a “digital arrest” by holding her under constant Skype surveillance. They used threats of arrest to coerce her into sharing all financial details and to make 187 bank transfers.

In her complaint, the software engineer of Indiranagar in the city stated that the ordeal lasted for over six months, until she got a ‘clearance letter’ from the



fraudsters.

It began on September 15, 2024, with a call from a person claiming to be from DHL Andheri, alleging that a parcel booked in her name contained credit cards, passports and MDMA, and said her identity had been misused.

Before the woman could respond, the call was transferred to people posing as CBI officers, who threatened her and claimed “all evidence is against you”.

The impostors warned her against contacting the police, saying criminals were watching her home. Fearing for her family and her son’s upcoming wedding, she remained silent.