HIGHLIGHTS

The scam transpired from March 19 to May 15.

The victims were misled into believing they were under investigation for money laundering, facing a Supreme Court arrest warrant.

The couple was instructed to remain silent and refrain from seeking assistance.

In a deeply concerning incident, an elderly couple residing in Bengaluru lost an astonishing Rs 4.7 crore after becoming unwitting victims of a sophisticated digital arrest scam. The couple, aged 77 and 75, were reportedly held captive in their own home by fraudsters for nearly two months. This case highlights the alarming increase in such scams and underscores the need for vigilance. Read on to uncover the details of how this deception unfolded and the steps you can take to safeguard yourself from similar frauds.

The fraudulent activities took place between March 19 and May 15. The victims, who live in the JP Nagar area of Bengaluru, were deceived into thinking they were being investigated for money laundering. They were frighteningly informed that there was an arrest warrant issued against them by the Supreme Court, as reported by the Times of India.

In a related incident, another victim, an engineering graduate, lost Rs 5.22 lakh while attempting to sell a sofa online. You can read more about that alarming story here.

The elderly couple filed a complaint with the police, revealing that the scammers had employed forged documents and claimed to be governmental officials. They instilled fear in their victims, urging them to avoid discussing the situation with anyone. The fraudsters warned that any communication with the outside world could lead to severe legal repercussions. Under this intimidation, the couple was coerced into transferring substantial amounts of money to the accounts controlled by the scammers.

In another unfortunate case, a retired government official fell victim to a digital arrest scam, resulting in a loss of Rs 4.2 crore. The details of that incident can be found here.

How to Protect Yourself from Such Scams

• Always verify the identity of individuals claiming to be officials. Make sure to use the official helpline numbers of the agency they represent.
• Do not succumb to threats of arrest or legal action received through phone calls or video communications. Legitimate officials adhere to established protocols.
• Be wary of any request for isolation or silence. If someone urges you to cease communication, it should raise immediate suspicions.
• Promptly report any suspicious calls, messages, or emails to the local police authorities.
• Staying informed and vigilant is your best defense against falling for scams of this nature.

In another case highlighting the dangers of online scams, a businessman from Mumbai lost Rs 2.3 crore after falling for a deceptive stock trading advertisement. Learn how to protect yourself here.