TNR News Network
Shimla: Cyber fraudsters posing as investigating agency officials allegedly duped a retired government officer in Himachal Pradesh of Rs 1.18 crore by putting him under what they described as a “digital arrest” in the state capital Shimla.
According to the complaint, the victim received calls and video calls from unidentified persons who claimed to be CBI officers. The callers allegedly threatened him with immediate arrest, accusing him of involvement in serious offences such as money laundering, drug trafficking and misuse of bank accounts. He was warned that his bank accounts would be frozen and his reputation damaged if he failed to cooperate.
The fraudsters told the victim that he was under digital surveillance and strictly instructed him not to contact family members, friends or any government agency. Under sustained pressure and fear, the retired officer complied with their directions and transferred money to accounts shared by the callers, believing it to be part of a verification process to prove his innocence.
The police said the accounts later turned out to be mule accounts used for cybercrime. By the time the victim realised he had been cheated, he had lost over Rs 1.18 crore.
The Shimla cyber police station has registered a case and initiated an investigation. “There is no legal concept such as digital arrest. People should not panic if they receive such calls and must never transfer money under pressure,” said Rohit Malpani, Superintendent of Police (Cyber Crime).
The police have advised citizens to immediately disconnect such calls, avoid sharing OTPs, bank details, Aadhaar or PAN information, and report incidents to the nearest police station or the cybercrime helpline without delay.
