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Rs 2-Crore Home, Gold Lost: A Cyber Scam In Delhi That…

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activeCyber Crime / Digital ArrestDelhi

Rs 2-Crore Home, Gold Lost: A Cyber Scam In Delhi That Wasn't Just Digital

An 82-year-old retired manager from Pune fell victim to an elaborate cyber scam known as 'digital arrest', losing Rs 2.74 crore over a period from the first week of January until a Wednesday. Fraudsters posing as officials from the Mumbai Crime Branch and the CBI contacted the senior citizen via a messaging application. They alleged that his bank account was linked to a money laundering case involving a former airline owner. Believing he was under continuous police watch and surveillance through a mobile application, the victim complied with their demands.

State

Delhi

First reported

September 2026

Agency involved

Pune Cyberpolice

Impersonators

Mumbai Crime Branch and CBI personnel

Status

Complaint lodged with Pune cyberpolice

The full story

Everything you need to know about this case, in one place.

Under mounting pressure and fear, the man shared sensitive financial details, including information about all his bank accounts and fixed deposits. The criminals instructed him to transfer funds across 12 different bank accounts provided during sporadic interactions, while keeping the ordeal hidden from his wife. The deception finally came to light when his wife grew suspicious and persuaded him to consult a lawyer, who immediately recognized the operation as a scam and guided the couple to the Pune cyberpolice.

Not yet reported: The articles do not mention any arrests made or the identification of the individuals operating the 12 bank accounts.

Where the case stands

The latest position in the reports we read.

The victim has lodged a formal complaint with the Pune cyberpolice station, and an investigation into the cyber fraud is underway.

Who was affected

Described in general terms; we do not name victims.

An 82-year-old retired manager of a multinational company residing in Kothrud, Pune.

Timeline

Key dates as reported, oldest first.

First week of JanuaryFraudsters first contacted the victim via a messaging application and initiated the digital arrest scam.

Last week (prior to complaint)The victim's wife grew suspicious and the couple consulted a lawyer who identified the digital arrest scam.

WednesdayThe victim approached the Pune cyberpolice station along with the lawyer to lodge an official complaint.

How the scam worked

The method described in the reports.

Fraudsters contacted the victim through a messaging app, falsely posing as law enforcement officials from the Mumbai Crime Branch and CBI.
The scammers claimed the victim's bank account was tied to a money laundering investigation involving a former airline owner.
They demanded personal identification details and financial records under the guise of online verification.
The culprits placed the victim under alleged 'digital arrest', convincing him that a surveillance app on his phone kept him under constant watch day and night.
The victim transferred money across 12 different bank accounts supplied by the criminals while acting under extreme pressure and isolation.

Targeted by something similar?

Call 1930 (free, 24x7) straight away, then file at cybercrime.gov.in. Money reported in the first hours is far easier to freeze.

Report it on Report Scams Emergency guide How these scams work

Keep reading

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Sources and further reading

Optional. The full story is above; these are the original reports it was prepared from.

timesofindia.indiatimes.comOriginal report ndtv.comOpens via Google News

Prepared by Report Scams, with the help of AI, from the published reports listed above. Check those reports for the latest. Cases here describe allegations. An FIR, arrest or charge is not a finding of guilt. To report a mistake, or to ask for a correction or removal, write to our Grievance Officer. See also the Safe Posting policy.