Mon Dec 23 13:16:09 UTC 2024: ## Software Engineer Defrauded of ₹11.8 Crore in Elaborate Digital Arrest Scam

**Mumbai, India –** A 39-year-old software engineer in Mumbai has fallen victim to a sophisticated digital arrest scam, losing ₹11.8 crore (approximately $1.4 million USD) to fraudsters posing as police and regulatory officials. The scam, which unfolded between November 25th and December 12th, involved a series of phone calls and video calls over Skype.

The ordeal began with a call from someone claiming to be a Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) officer, alleging misuse of the victim’s SIM card linked to his Aadhaar (national identification) card. This was followed by calls from individuals impersonating police officers, who claimed his Aadhaar details were used in a money laundering scheme involving a fictitious businessman and a fabricated case registered in Colaba Cyber Police Station.

The fraudsters threatened arrest for both the victim and his family unless he cooperated with their “investigation.” They used fake RBI guidelines to justify their requests for money transfers, purportedly for verification purposes. The victim, fearing arrest, transferred ₹11.8 crore in multiple transactions to various bank accounts over several weeks. He only realized he was being scammed when the fraudsters demanded even more money.

A case has been registered under the IT Act and relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) for cheating and impersonation. Mumbai police are currently investigating the matter. The incident serves as a stark warning about the increasing sophistication of online fraud and the importance of verifying the identity of individuals claiming to be from law enforcement or government agencies.

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