74-Year-Old Man 'Digitally Arrested' for 10 Days by Fake ED Officers, Duped of Rs 1.74 Crore

Cyber fraud cases involving the terrifying tactic of 'digital arrest' continue to rise, with a 74-year-old man in Jaipur becoming the latest victim of an elaborate scam. Posing as enforcement directorate (ED) officials, Supreme Court authorities, and even senior police officers, fraudsters kept the elderly victim under virtual captivity for 10 consecutive days. Fearing imminent arrest and asset seizure over fabricated money laundering charges, the victim ended up transferring Rs 1.74 crore across multiple bank accounts. The shocking incident was reported from the Vaishali Nagar police station jurisdiction.

How the Elaborate Cyber Trap Was Laid

According to details, the victim, Jitendra Nath Bhargava, received a call informing him about an alleged suspicious and illegal transaction linked to his bank account. The callers claimed to be ED officials and stated that a money laundering case had been registered against him. To make their deception appear genuine, the fraudsters engaged the senior citizen through relentless video calls, creating a simulated courtroom environment resembling the Supreme Court on his mobile screen. Later, another scammer impersonated a senior police official from Delhi, intensifying the psychological pressure and convincing him that he was facing severe legal consequences.

Exploiting Isolation and Vulnerability

The elderly man lives with his wife while his son resides in Singapore and his daughter lives outside Rajasthan. Taking advantage of his immediate family members being away, the cyber criminals kept him under continuous virtual monitoring for 10 days, forbidding him from contacting anyone outside or discussing the matter. Crushed under intense fear and constant threats of imprisonment, Mr. Bhargava eventually transferred Rs 1.74 crore in multiple tranches. It was only after the ordeal ended and he consulted an acquaintance that he realized he had fallen victim to a massive financial fraud.

Police Investigation and Cyber Cell Action

Following the realization, the victim approached the Vaishali Nagar police station and filed a formal complaint. The local police, in collaboration with cyber crime experts, have registered a case and launched a comprehensive probe. Authorities are currently tracing the IP addresses, mobile numbers, video call platforms, and bank accounts used by the syndicate to siphon off the money. Law enforcement agencies have once again urged citizens to remain vigilant, reiterating that legitimate investigative agencies never conduct arrests or financial verifications over video calls.