HIGHLIGHTS

A Mumbai woman fell prey to a digital arrest scam, losing a staggering Rs 20 crore.

The scammers deceived her by claiming that her Aadhaar card was being used for multiple illegal activities.

Eventually, they informed her that she had been placed under a “digital arrest.”

In a distressing incident that underscores the vulnerability of senior citizens to modern-day fraud, an 86-year-old woman in Mumbai recently became a victim of a sophisticated digital arrest scam. This alarming case led to an enormous financial loss of Rs 20 crore. The perpetrators, who impersonated police officials, concocted a story about her Aadhaar card’s misuse. With cunning manipulation, they conducted a video call with the elderly woman to enact what they referred to as a ‘digital arrest,’ employing fear-based tactics to intimidate her into silence. Under duress, she was compelled to wire significant sums of money to various bank accounts under the guise of an ongoing investigation. This incident highlights the increasing prevalence of elaborate phone scams that particularly target individuals prone to manipulation.

What exactly transpired?

The events unfolded on December 26 when the scammers successfully duped the elderly woman by asserting that her Aadhaar card was implicated in numerous illegal activities. They pressured her to transfer money to different accounts, claiming it was necessary to resolve the alleged situation.

According to various reports, the fraudsters threatened her with legal consequences directed towards her and her family if she failed to comply with their demands. As the con unfolded, she was informed that she was subjected to a “digital arrest,” accompanied by instructions to keep the entire incident confidential. This manipulation strategy left the woman isolated and terrified, making it even harder for her to seek help.

Upon realizing she had been scammed, the distressed woman took immediate action by filing a First Information Report (FIR) with the local authorities. Following her report, investigators were able to track the financial transactions associated with the scam and have reportedly made arrests of individuals linked to this criminal activity.

For further reading, check out this article: Scam alert! Retired officer falls victim to Facebook scam, loses Rs 5 crore.

Key tips for protecting yourself from digital scams:

• Always be cautious about the information provided by others; never divulge sensitive information, including OTPs or passwords.
• Do not succumb to false notions of urgency accompanied by threats. When in doubt, reach out to the nearest police station for verification.
• Stay informed about the latest scams and techniques used by fraudsters to better shield yourself from potential threats.
• If something feels off, trust your instincts and discuss your concerns with trusted friends or family.

It is crucial to remember that neither police officials nor representatives from UIDAI will ever request personal information or remote access to your devices. Should you receive any such calls, terminate the conversation immediately and report them to UIDAI’s helpline at 1947.