Cybercrooks extort Rs 37 lakh from Bengaluru businessman in digital arrest scam

Bengaluru: A 68-year-old businessman fell prey to a digital arrest scam as crooks posing as officials from the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) and the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) allegedly extorted Rs 37 lakh.The fraud began on Feb 1 and continued until Feb 9, when the victim finally approached the cops.
According to the complaint filed by Sagar (name changed), a resident of Srirampura, he received a call from a stranger who introduced himself as a TRAI official. He claimed that a sim card issued in his name was being used for illegal activities such as unlawful advertisements and harassment calls. Sagar informed the caller that the number mentioned did not belong to him. However, the fraudster insisted that the sim card was purchased using his Aadhaar card and said he would connect the call to a CBI officer based in Mumbai.Another fraudster then spoke to Sagar and claimed that a case of money laundering was registered against him in Mumbai and that he was in serious trouble. Claiming that a bank account opened in Sagar's name was being used for hawala transactions, the fraudster asked him to attend a WhatsApp video call. During the call, the miscreant appeared dressed as a police officer, with the CBI logo and office visible in the background.The fraudsters then demanded that Sagar share details of his bank accounts, passport, and other personal information. He also received video calls from other individuals dressed in police uniforms who claimed to be CBI officials. They warned him not to discuss the matter with anyone, including his family members, stating that the case involved VVIPs and was highly confidential. They threatened to arrest him in full public view if he failed to follow their instructions.The miscreants subsequently instructed him to confine himself to a room and keep the video call active, as he was supposedly under surveillance. On the pretext of a virtual investigation, they collected all his personal, banking, and family details.On Feb 4, the fraudsters allegedly told Sagar they could drop his name from the case in return for money. Believing their claims, Sagar initially transferred Rs 20 lakh via RTGS from two of his bank accounts. On Feb 6, he transferred another Rs 17 lakh from a third bank account.However, when the fraudsters continued to demand more money, the victim realised he was being cheated by an organised syndicate. He discussed the matter with friends and family before going to the police. A senior officer said a case has been registered under the Information Technology Act and Sections 308 (extortion) and 318 (cheating) of Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. Efforts are on to freeze the bank accounts to which the money was transferred and trace the fraudsters.