A retired banker from Delhi was allegedly duped of nearly Rs23 crore after falling prey to an elaborate “digital arrest” scam, police officials confirmed this week.
The victim, 78-year-old Naresh Malhotra, had worked for decades in the banking sector before retiring. His ordeal began on August 1, when he received a call from a woman claiming to represent a telecom company. She alleged that his phone number was being misused to open bank accounts in Mumbai linked to terror funding.
Over the following days, Malhotra was contacted by fraudsters posing as officers of Mumbai Police, the Enforcement Directorate, and even the CBI. They convinced him that he was under investigation and prohibited from informing family members. On video calls, the scammers warned that he faced arrest and seizure of his assets if he failed to cooperate. Fake legal documents and threats of imprisonment added to the pressure.
Between August 4 and September 4, Malhotra was coerced into transferring funds through more than 20 transactions, liquidating investments and moving money into accounts specified by the criminals. By the time he realized he had been duped, nearly Rs23 crore was gone.
An FIR was registered on September 19 with the Intelligence Fusion & Strategic Operations unit of Delhi Police.
Police warn that “digital arrest” scams are on the rise, targeting senior citizens by exploiting fear and impersonating authorities. The case has raised alarms about the vulnerabilities even seasoned professionals face in the era of cyber-enabled crime.
