Elderly Kollam Man Loses ₹3.72 Cr in Virtual Arrest Scam

Rapid Summary

• Kollam City Cyber police are investigating a cyber fraud case involving ₹3.72 crore lost by a 79-year-old resident from Padanayarkulangara, Kerala.
• The scam, termed ‘virtual arrest,’ involves imposters posing as enforcement officials to intimidate victims through WhatsApp video calls.
• On July 7, fraudsters tricked the elderly victim into believing his mobile number and Aadhaar details where linked to illegal activities and bank fraud in Mumbai.
• Using fake arrest warrants and threats of frozen assets, the scammers coerced him into participating in a fabricated legal process via a ‘virtual court’ video call.
• The scammers instructed him to transfer funds for “account verification,” resulting in 17 transactions amounting to ₹3.72 crore between July 23 and August 29. The victim later realized he was duped when no money was returned.
• Kollam Cyber police have registered a case under relevant sections of Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and the IT Act, traced the implicated bank accounts, and initiated efforts to freeze them.

Indian Opinion Analysis

This incident highlights the increasing sophistication of cyber scams targeting vulnerable individuals like senior citizens. By leveraging fear tactics alongside advanced impersonation techniques such as fake virtual courts and arrests displayed via WhatsApp video calls, fraudsters prey on trust and misinformation. While Kollam City’s Cyber Police have undertaken efforts to trace accounts involved in this crime, it emphasizes India’s pressing need for public awareness campaigns around digital safety and critical scrutiny of unsolicited communication.

Moreover, widespread adoption of digital financial systems necessitates stronger cybersecurity measures both at institutional levels (banks) and individual levels (users). this case should serve as an urgent reminder for governments at both state and national levels about scaling resources for cybersecurity training within law enforcement agencies while prioritizing education on online scams among older populations.Read more: Published – September 13, 2025