Daijiworld Media Network – Bengaluru
Bengaluru, Nov 17: In what police describe as Karnataka’s costliest digital-arrest scam to date, a 57-year-old senior IT professional from Indiranagar, Bengaluru, has reported losing an astonishing Rs 31.83 crore to cybercriminals who held her under constant online surveillance for more than six months while impersonating officials of the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).
The woman’s ordeal began on September 15, 2024, when she received a call from someone claiming to be from DHL Andheri in Mumbai. She was told that a parcel booked in her name, containing three credit cards, four passports and prohibited MDMA drugs, had been seized and that her identity might have been misused. Before she could respond, the caller transferred her to individuals posing as CBI officers, who claimed that “all evidence is against you” and immediately began threatening her with arrest.
Fearing for her safety and with her son’s upcoming wedding weighing heavily on her mind, the woman complied. The fraudsters warned her not to contact the local police or her family, insisting that “criminals are watching your home”. According to her complaint, the threats felt so real that she believed her family could be harmed.
The scammers then placed her under what they called a “digital arrest”, forcing her to stay visible on video calls at all times through two Skype IDs she was instructed to install.
A man identifying himself as Mohit Handa monitored her continuously for two days, after which Rahul Yadav watched her for an entire week. A third individual, calling himself Pradeep Singh, posed as a senior CBI officer and conducted prolonged interrogations, pressuring her to “prove her innocence”.
The woman said the group appeared to know her location, phone activity and even her movements, which deepened her fear. She was instructed to share all financial information and to “verify” her assets with the Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) of the Reserve Bank of India, for which the fraudsters produced forged letters and documents to make the process appear official.
From September 24 to October 22, 2024, she shared her financial records and began transferring money. Between October 24 and November 3, she was coerced into paying a supposed surety amount of Rs 2 crore, followed by additional payments labelled as “taxes”. In total, she made 187 transactions, ultimately losing Rs 31.83 crore.
During much of this period, she worked from home while remaining on live video surveillance. “It was a horrifying experience for me, going through their threats,” she later told police. “All this time I had to report over Skype where I was and what I was doing. I was told that the money would be returned by Feb. 25 after completion of procedures.”
On December 1, 2024, days before her son’s engagement on December 6, she was issued a fake clearance letter, which briefly reassured her. However, she fell seriously ill shortly afterward and required nearly a month of medical treatment.
The scammers continued to demand processing charges after December, pushing the promised refund from February to March. Finally, all communication ceased on March 26, 2025.
The woman delayed filing a police complaint until after her son’s wedding in June and international travel, and after recovering from illness. An FIR was registered on November 14, 2025, by the East Cybercrime Police.
A senior officer remarked, “If only she had informed someone or even cut the call, she would’ve been safe.”
Police are reviewing the extensive transaction trail, and the case is likely to be transferred to the CID, as the amount involved exceeds Rs 3 crore.
The victim has urged authorities to investigate the scam thoroughly.
How to stay safe
Vigilance is the key to avoiding such scams. If you receive such calls, never fall for the trap. Remember, police officials never initiate cases online or ask for money.
Most importantly, the term “digital arrest” is fabricated by scammers and does not exist in Indian law. If someone threatens you with it, it is undoubtedly a scam.
Additionally, never share bank details, OTPs, or other sensitive information over phone calls or messages, regardless of the caller’s claims. If you suspect a scam, report it to the authorities and your bank immediately. Quick action can help prevent further losses.