Daijiworld Media Network – Bengaluru
Bengaluru, Sept 22: In a dramatic case of cyber fraud, Dr Preethi Sudhakar — wife of Chikkaballapur BJP MP and former minister Dr K Sudhakar — was conned out of Rs 14 lac by fraudsters posing as Mumbai cyber crime officials. The scammers orchestrated a fake ‘digital arrest’ through an elaborate video call operation.
Claiming to be officers from the Mumbai Cyber Department, the culprits accused Dr Preethi of being linked to illegal financial transactions abroad. They alleged her personal documents had been misused in cross-border money laundering and warned of legal consequences.
The fraudsters contacted her on August 26 via video call, threatening arrest and legal action unless she complied. They demanded she transfer funds for verification, assuring her the money would be refunded within 45 minutes in accordance with RBI guidelines. Trusting their claims, she transferred Rs 14 lac to the specified account.
Once the money was received, the fraudsters cut off contact and disappeared. Realising she had been duped, Dr Preethi lodged a complaint with the Cyber Crime police station in Bengaluru.
Police acted swiftly, registering an FIR and freezing the fraudulent bank account. As the complaint was made within the crucial "golden hour", officials successfully recovered the full Rs 14 lac.
Investigations are ongoing to trace the cyber fraud network. However, no arrests have been made so far.
How to stay safe
Vigilance is the key to avoiding such scams. If you receive such calls, never fall for the trap. Remember, police officials never initiate cases online or ask for money.
Most importantly, the term “digital arrest” is fabricated by scammers and does not exist in Indian law. If someone threatens you with it, it is undoubtedly a scam.
Additionally, never share bank details, OTPs, or other sensitive information over phone calls or messages, regardless of the caller’s claims. If you suspect a scam, report it to the authorities and your bank immediately. Quick action can help prevent further losses.