In today’s fast-paced digital world, scams have become more sophisticated, targeting unsuspecting individuals and draining their hard-earned money. A recent incident in Bengaluru highlights just how quickly a seemingly harmless phone call can escalate into a financial nightmare. A 29-year-old businessman fell victim to a digital arrest scam that led to a loss of approximately Rs 14 lakh.
On September 25, the victim received a call from someone claiming to represent the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI). The caller accused him of being involved in illegal activities, including money laundering. The situation escalated when the caller transferred the line to another individual who claimed to be a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) officer. This new caller, who refused to reveal his name, threatened the businessman with a so-called “digital arrest.” He further claimed that a bank account opened in the victim’s name was misusing his credentials to conduct a fraudulent transaction of $6 million (around Rs 50.4 crore).
Also read: Delhi man loses Rs 6 lakh in digital arrest scam: What is it and how to safeguard yourself
Under intense pressure, the victim was instructed to download the Signal messaging app to record a “video statement.” The fraudsters then pressurised him into transferring nearly 80% of his bank balance to what they described as secure “RBI accounts” for verification. Believing that this would protect him from legal trouble, the victim transferred a total of Rs 14.57 lakh within a week.
The scam came to light when the businessman filed a complaint with the authorities on October 3, prompting an investigation into the case.
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To protect yourself from similar scams, consider these important safety tips: