Daijiworld Media Network - Mumbai

Mumbai, May 20: A 77-year-old resident of Ghatkopar was allegedly cheated of Rs 50 lakh by cyber fraudsters who posed as Enforcement Directorate (ED) officials and threatened him with arrest in a sophisticated “digital arrest” scam, police said.

According to an FIR registered at the East Region Cyber Police Station, the victim, a labour law consultant living in Garodia Nagar, received multiple phone calls between May 12 and May 14 from individuals claiming to be senior ED officers from Delhi. The callers identified themselves as Vijay Khanna, Sandeep Yadav and Rahul Gupta.

The fraudsters allegedly informed the elderly man that a bank account had been opened in Delhi using his Aadhaar details and was being used for illegal financial activities. They further claimed that the Supreme Court had ordered his immediate arrest and the attachment of his assets in connection with the case.

Police said the accused used fear and intimidation to manipulate the victim, warning him of severe legal consequences and allegedly threatening his safety. The complainant was also instructed not to discuss the matter with anyone.

As part of the scam, the fraudsters reportedly conducted WhatsApp video calls that appeared to mimic official court hearings and ED investigations, creating the impression that legal proceedings were underway.

Terrified by the threats and believing the claims to be genuine, the senior citizen prematurely withdrew a fixed deposit worth Rs 50 lakh from his bank account and transferred the amount via RTGS on May 14 to an account provided by the accused.

The fraud came to light after the victim later approached Pant Nagar police and was informed that he had been trapped in a digital arrest scam. He subsequently filed a complaint through the national cybercrime helpline 1930, following which an FIR was registered on May 15.

Police are currently investigating the case and tracing the bank accounts and individuals involved in the fraud.