Bhubaneswar Woman Duped of Rs 30 Lakh in Digital Arrest Scam; Mastermind Nabbed in Tirupati
Bhubaneswar: In a shocking case of cyber fraud, a woman from Old Town, Bhubaneswar, was cheated of Rs 30 lakh in a “digital arrest” scam.
Fraudsters posing as officials from the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) and later as Mumbai Colaba Police officers coerced the victim into transferring money under the pretext of an Enforcement Directorate investigation.
The scammers contacted the woman via phone and WhatsApp video calls, showing fabricated arrest warrants and threatening immediate arrest.
They forced her to remain on a continuous video call, avoid outside contact, and deposit money for a supposed “audit.”
The victim and her husband visited the SBI Lewis Road Branch and transferred Rs 30 lakh into multiple accounts provided by the fraudsters.
A complaint was lodged by Narasingha Prasad Bohidar with the Cyber Crime and Economic Offences Police.
Following the investigation, police traced the accused to Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh. Gulipagi Chiranjeevi, identified as the mastermind, was arrested.
Authorities seized mobile phones, an ATM card, a chequebook, a PAN card, and an Aadhaar card from his possession. He was produced in court, and further investigation is underway.
Police have urged citizens to remain vigilant against digital arrest scams, advising them to verify such claims and immediately contact local police stations instead of complying with fraudulent instructions.
