Thane senior citizen loses Rs 1.56 crore in 'digital arrest' fraud

A 64‑year‑old resident of Thane district has allegedly lost ₹1.56 crore to cyberfraudsters who placed him under a so‑called “digital arrest” for nearly a month, police said. The scammers used psychological manipulation , intimidation, and forged documents to coerce him into transferring money.

The victim, from Katrap in Badlapur, was under surveillance from February 12 to March 7 after fraudsters posed as police personnel , contacting him from multiple numbers. They claimed he had sent obscene messages and videos to 40 women and alleged his Aadhaar and bank details were linked to a money‑laundering investigation involving a prominent person.

The fraudsters forced him to install the Signal messaging app on his wife’s phone, maintaining continuous audio and video monitoring. Through it, they sent fake FIRs, bogus bank letters, ATM card photos, and counterfeit Interpol ‘Red Corner’ notices to convince him he was under high‑level investigation.

Under the guise of digital arrest , the victim was prevented from seeking help. The perpetrators claimed his accounts had to be “surrendered to the RBI for verification” and instructed him to transfer ₹1,56,45,000 via RTGS. The victim approached police only after realising the deception.

An FIR was filed under sections 308(2) (extortion), 318 (cheating), and 61(2) (criminal conspiracy) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and provisions of the IT Act. No arrests have been made yet, and police are tracing the money trail.

The case highlights a growing trend in digital arrest scams , where victims are coerced into believing they are under virtual custody. Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has warned that digital arrest is illegal and urged vigilance against cyber theft , stressing reporting to helpline 1930 within the “golden hour” can help recover up to 90% of lost funds.