Hyderabad man 81 loses Rs 7 crore in digital arrest scam

Retired Businessman Loses Rs 7.12 Crore to Scammers

An 81-year-old retired businessman from Hyderabad lost Rs 7.12 crore to scammers using the ‘digital arrest’ tactic in a fake drugs case.

Details of the Scam

The ordeal began on October 27, 2025. The man received a WhatsApp call from a fraudster posing as a Bluedart executive. The caller claimed that a parcel booked under the victim’s name, destined for Thailand, contained narcotics, fake passports, and credit cards.

The call escalated to impostors pretending to be Mumbai Police officers. They accused him of drug trafficking, money laundering, and having terrorist links. They placed him under “digital arrest” via video calls. The scammers isolated him, prohibiting contact with family, bankers, or lawyers. They coerced him into transferring funds for “verification” to clear his name.

Financial Impact

Under intense psychological pressure, the elderly man liquidated mutual funds and fixed deposits (FDs). He made multiple transfers totaling Rs 7.12 crore between October 29 and December 5, 2025.

Investigation Initiated

Suspicion arose on December 29 when the scammers demanded an additional Rs 1.2 crore to “close the case.” Reflecting on recent media reports about similar frauds, the elderly man reported the matter to the Telangana Cybersecurity Bureau (TGCSB). A case was registered, and an investigation has been launched.

Similar Cases Reported

In a similar case from Ahmedabad, an 82-year-old man was cheated of over Rs 7 crore after being placed under “digital arrest” by cyber fraudsters linked to a Chinese cybercrime gang operating out of Cambodia. At least 12 people have been arrested by the Ahmedabad Cyber Crime Branch in connection with this racket.

Widespread Issue

‘Digital arrest’ scams usually target elderly individuals due to their vulnerability. These scams have been reported across the country over the past year.