Fake CBI calls cost Belagavi Businessman ₹15 Cr in massive cyber fraud

An 81-year-old businessman from Belagavi has allegedly been defrauded of over ₹15 crore in a sophisticated “digital arrest” scam, in which cybercriminals impersonated officials of the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), police said on Sunday.

According to investigators, the fraud was executed over a prolonged period of nearly six weeks through mobile phone and video call platforms , which the accused used to create a false sense of authority and urgency. The victim received repeated calls including video calls from individuals posing as CBI officers, who accused him of involvement in a financial crime.

The fraudsters alleged that the businessman had received a commission of ₹5 lakh for laundering ₹25 lakh and claimed that multiple complaints had been filed against him. They threatened him with immediate arrest in a money laundering case, effectively placing him under what is commonly referred to as a “digital arrest” a tactic where victims are psychologically coerced into compliance through continuous monitoring and intimidation via digital communication platforms.

Under pressure, the victim was forced to share sensitive bank accounts and financial details. He was then instructed to transfer large sums of money to what the fraudsters described as a “safe” or “government-authorised” account, with assurances that the funds would be returned after the completion of the investigation.

However, after transferring over ₹15 crore, the businessman grew suspicious when all communication from the callers abruptly ceased and the mobile numbers became untraceable. He subsequently approached the police and lodged a complaint last week.

Officials from the Cyber, Economic and Narcotics (CEN) Police Station launched an investigation and managed to trace the bank account into which the money had been transferred. So far, only ₹90 lakh has been recovered .

Recognising the scale and seriousness of the fraud, the Belagavi Police Commissioner has constituted a special investigation team to track down the accused and recover the remaining funds. Police have once again urged citizens, particularly senior citizens, to remain vigilant against such scams and reiterated that no law enforcement agency conducts investigations or arrests via phone or video calls, nor do they ask individuals to transfer money to “safe accounts.”