Thu Nov 21 13:38:23 UTC 2024: ## Ahmedabad Builder Loses ₹1 Crore in Elaborate ‘Digital Arrest’ Scam

**Ahmedabad, [Date]** – An Ahmedabad builder was defrauded of ₹1 crore in a sophisticated digital arrest scam, police reported. The perpetrators, posing as representatives of a courier company and the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB), convinced the builder that a drug parcel was registered in his name.

The scam began on July 3rd when the builder received a call claiming a 550-gram drug package was intercepted. The call was allegedly transferred to an individual impersonating an NCB officer, who conducted a video call wearing a police uniform. The fraudsters cited a recent ₹50 crore land deal the builder was involved in, lending credibility to their false accusations and threatening investigations by various agencies including the CBI and ED.

The fraudulent “officer” then coerced the builder into transferring ₹1 crore, promising its return within 10 days to avoid prosecution. After the transfer, the scammers disappeared. The builder, realizing he had been scammed, filed a complaint with the Ahmedabad cyber crime cell over four months later.

Deputy Commissioner of Police (Cyber Crime), Lavina Sinha, confirmed that a case has been registered and warned citizens against such scams. She stressed that Indian law does not recognize “digital arrests” and urged the public to follow a three-step process: Stop, Think, and Act. Anyone receiving suspicious requests for money transfers should immediately verify the authenticity of the call before taking any action. Victims of such scams are advised to contact 1930 to lodge a complaint.

Read More