Fri Jan 09 23:30:00 UTC 2026: # Cyber Crime Police Recover ₹20 Lakh Lost in “Digital Arrest” Scam
The Story:
The West Zone Cyber Crime Police Station in Chennai successfully recovered ₹20 lakh within 14 days from a victim, S. Latha, who was defrauded through a “digital arrest” scam. The victim and her husband were targeted by scammers posing as police officers, who used video calls to threaten and intimidate them for three days, preventing them from disconnecting or speaking to others. The scammers convinced S. Latha to transfer the money to an account, promising its return after a money laundering check.
Key Points:
- The scam began on December 20, 2025.
- The victim, S. Latha, was threatened via video call and instructed to transfer ₹20 lakh.
- The money was deposited into an ICICI Bank account of Onat Global Trading Pvt Ltd in Visakhapatnam.
- Police froze the account and obtained a court order on January 2, 2026.
- The full amount was credited back to the victim’s account on January 7, 2026.
Key Takeaways:
- Swift action by cyber crime police is crucial in recovering funds lost in online scams.
- The “digital arrest” modus operandi is a prevalent and dangerous form of cyber fraud.
- Coordination between law enforcement and banks is vital for successful fund recovery.
- Cybercrime helpline number 1930 can assist victims of cybercrime to register complaints.
First Piper 