In the last few months, cases of online scams have increased rapidly in India. While cyber criminals are adopting various tactics to defraud people, one of the most sophisticated and emotionally manipulative scams is the digital arrest scam. In this scam, fraudsters call the victims posing as fake police officers, confine them in a room on the pretext of digital arrest and instruct them not to communicate with anyone. The most recently reported victim of this scam is a 76-year-old doctor from Pimpri-Chinchwad, Pune, who lost Rs 28 lakh to fraudsters impersonating Central Bureau of Investigation officials.

In this case, scammers called the senior citizen and defrauded him by accusing him of illegal use of his credit card. They threatened them with serious legal consequences, including digital arrest, to force them to accede to their demands. The incident began on November 28 when the doctor, who has been in medical practice for over 40 years, received a WhatsApp call from a person who identified himself as CBI officer Ravi Kumar, reports The Indian Express. The caller accused the doctor of being involved in a credit card fraud of Rs 1 crore and claimed that he had received Rs 20 lakh as commission. The fraudster warned her that her name had been exposed in their investigation and an arrest warrant was imminent if she did not pay Rs 20 lakh to clear her name.

Despite the doctor denying involvement in illegal activities, the scammers increased their threats. He claimed that notices were issued against him from the Supreme Court and the Enforcement Directorate (ED). Taking advantage of the victim’s status as a senior citizen and professional, the fake CBI officer allegedly connected the call to an accomplice by posing as a Supreme Court lawyer. This fake lawyer further demanded financial and personal details from the doctor, claiming that it was necessary to gather information related to the case.

Throughout this process the fraudsters warned the victim that he or she was under digital arrest. He instructed him to lock himself in a room, prevent anyone from coming in, and avoid discussing the matter with anyone. He also ordered victims to report updates every two hours, creating an atmosphere of fear and urgency.

After a day of threats, the scammers allegedly instructed the doctor to transfer Rs 28 lakh to two bank accounts. Under pressure and believing that compliance would clear him of the false charges, the victim followed their instructions. However, the scam was exposed when the victim’s son discovered the transaction and recognized the fraudulent nature of the call. After this the family lodged a complaint at Pimpri Police Station.

This incident is not isolated but highlights a worrying trend. Even educated individuals familiar with online platforms are falling prey to such scams. The prevalence of digital arrest scams has increased so much that the Home Ministry has issued a warning against scams involving impersonation of law enforcement agencies. These cases were also highlighted by Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his “Mann Ki Baat” programme, stressing on the need for public awareness to tackle cyber crime.

Such incidents underscore the growing threat of cybercrime, particularly scams that exploit trust and fear. People are advised to be careful online. If they receive such calls, they should always verify the identity of anyone claiming to represent law enforcement or government agencies. Legitimate authorities rarely contact individuals through WhatsApp or demand immediate payment. Additionally, avoid disclosing financial or personal details over the phone, especially under duress or threat.