Elderly Couple Duped of ₹33 Lakh in Digital Scam

Quick Summary:

• A 73-year-old Bowenpally resident lost over ₹33.4 lakh in a ‘digital arrest’ scam between July 25 and August 8, 2025.
• Teh victim was contacted by individuals impersonating law enforcement and government officials who accused him of Aadhaar misuse in criminal activities.
• He received fake documents citing laws like the National Secrets Act, 1923, coerced into secrecy, and pressured to make multiple payments under various pretexts.
• Fraudsters impersonated officials such as “Inspector Gourav Sarathi,” “IPS officer Daya Nayak,” and a supposed “Supreme Court auditor.”
• Documents from fictitious sources like the Supreme court and Income Tax Department were used to gain credibility; promises of refunds never materialized.
• Upon realizing the fraud, the victim approached Hyderabad police with a complaint.
• Police issued an advisory cautioning citizens about ‘digital arrest’ scams: arrests cannot occur via phone calls nor do legitimate agencies demand money digitally.
• Citizens are encouraged not to share personal data or financial details over calls, verify documentation through official channels, report suspicious activity instantly at cybercrime.gov.in or on helpline number 1930.

Indian Opinion Analysis:

This case underscores critical vulnerabilities in public awareness regarding sophisticated digital fraud schemes. The use of faux legal documentation paired with impersonations of high-ranking officers reveals how evolving scam strategies exploit confusion surrounding legal processes. Increased public education campaigns focusing on verifying official interaction may help build resilience against such crimes.

While this incident highlights individual susceptibility due to coercion tactics involving secrecy claims under obscure laws like the National Secrets Act (1923), it also points toward institutional gaps where misinformation spreads unchecked. India’s burgeoning reliance on digital platforms necessitates further strengthening cybersecurity measures alongside easily accessible fraud-reporting mechanisms.The proactive warning issued by Hyderabad police is commendable but must be complemented with national-level efforts across media channels for broader impact. Citizen vigilance supported by governmental safeguards could mitigate risks posed by advanced cybercrime methods seen here.

Read more: https://cybercrime.gov.in