Kandivli senior finds self under 'digital arrest', conned of Rs 14 lakh

MUMBAI: A senior citizen from Kandivali (West) has become the latest victim of "digital arrest", a sophisticated cyber fraud, losing Rs 14 lakh of her life's savings.
Posing as a Delhi cyber cell official, the fraudster contacted the 67-year-old D Shah claiming to be from the "telegram" department and accused her of involvement in money laundering. He demanded her presence in Delhi for probe. According to North Cyber police, the con instructed the woman to keep her mobile phone active for 24 hours. She was strictly warned against contacting family members as she was under "digital arrest".
Trouble began for Shah on Sept 1 when she received a call from one Vinay Kumar claiming he was from the "telegram" department in Delhi and she has been booked (DL/1045/0824) for money laundering by Delhi cyber police. Kumar told her he would connect her to cyber police. "He claimed her Aadhaar card was used to open a bank account, which was then used for laundering. The victim also received a letter from the scammer that had Delhi police logo, warning her about the case and her role in it," an official said.
A terrified Shah was then asked to identify a photo -- that of a "co-accused" -- showed to her on video call. In her complaint, the victim said, "I was scared after the person claimed that I will sent to jail for 3-5 years. I was also warned that speaking to anyone in the family could lead to their potential arrest."
The fraudster convinced Shah to liquidate her fixed deposits and mutual fund investments. "I was directed to transfer the funds to a specific account, with assurances that Supreme Court would verify the transaction and provide a clearance certificate following which the amount would be refunded. During a video call, the fraudster demonstrated the creation of a counterfeit Aadhaar Card, suggesting that her identity document might have been similarly misused for illicit banking activities and money laundering operations."
A police officer said the victim realised that she had been duped when the scammer, who had claimed her money would be refunded soon, stopped answering her calls. She then called the cyber helpline number 1930 and blocked transactions.