Nagpur: Cybercriminals posing as police and investigating agency officials allegedly duped two retired men in Nagpur of a combined ₹1.07 crore in separate “digital arrest” scams. In both cases, the victims were allegedly threatened with arrest in connection with serious crimes and forced to transfer money through RTGS under the pretext of verification and investigation.

The two incidents involved similar tactics — fake police or NIA identities, allegations of links to terrorism or money laundering, fabricated warrants/documents, video-call surveillance and threats of arrest. The incidents were reported to the Cyber Police, which registered separate cases.

₹20.10 lakh transferred after posing as Mumbai police

In the first case, a 70-year-old retired man from Sahakarnagar, Dhantoli, was allegedly targeted by fraudsters between September 23 and 24.

According to the complaint, the accused contacted the senior citizen through phone calls and video calls, claiming to be police officials from Colaba Police Station in Mumbai. They allegedly told him that he had links with terrorists and that other accused persons had already been arrested.

The fraudsters allegedly further claimed that an arrest warrant had been issued in his name. They then told him that his bank account needed to be verified and, under this pretext, allegedly forced him to transfer ₹20,10,200 through RTGS.

After transferring the money, the victim realised that he had been cheated and approached the Cyber Police. A case was registered under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), including provisions pertaining to cheating, criminal intimidation and forgery, along with the relevant IPC provision mentioned in the police record.

NIA officer impersonation and fake documents used to extort ₹87.50 lakh

In the second case, a retired 82-year-old man from Kharé Town, Dharampeth, allegedly lost ₹87.50 lakh after being targeted through a WhatsApp video call.

According to his complaint, the victim received a WhatsApp video call on September 1 from an unknown number. The caller allegedly introduced himself as an officer of the NIA’s ATS division and claimed that the victim’s name had surfaced in connection with a Delhi bomb blast.

The caller allegedly told him that ₹2.5 crore had been laundered through an ICICI Bank account/ATM card linked to him and that he had allegedly received ₹25 lakh as commission. The accused allegedly threatened that he would be arrested in the case.

The fraudsters allegedly sent the victim fake ICICI Bank statements, a fake Visa card and a purported RBI warrant to make the allegations appear genuine. The victim and his wife were allegedly kept under continuous surveillance through video calls as part of the so-called “digital arrest”.

The accused allegedly provided the victim with details of three bank accounts and pressured him to transfer money through RTGS. He ultimately transferred ₹87.50 lakh to the accounts specified by the fraudsters.

The victim later realised that he had been cheated and approached the police. Cyber Police registered a case under various sections of the BNS and Information Technology Act, along with other provisions mentioned in the complaint.

Common tricks used in the two scams

Police records in the two cases show several recurring tactics used by the fraudsters:

• Impersonating police or investigating agencies: The accused allegedly posed as Mumbai Police and NIA officials.
• Creating fear of arrest: Victims were allegedly told that their names were linked to terrorism, bomb blasts or money laundering.
• Fake legal documents: The second victim was allegedly shown fabricated bank statements and an alleged RBI warrant.
• Video-call surveillance: The second victim and his wife were allegedly kept on video calls to create the impression that they were under official investigation.
• “Money verification” pretext: Victims were allegedly instructed to transfer large sums through RTGS in the name of verification or investigation.
• Pressure and intimidation: The alleged threats of immediate arrest were used to prevent the victims from independently verifying the claims.

The Cyber Police are investigating both cases and efforts are underway to trace the persons and bank accounts involved in the alleged fraud.