Threatened with digital arrest through WhatsApp call, IIT student lost ₹7.29 lakh: Digital Arrest News

Digital Arrest News: Even a student of an institute like IIT Bombay could not escape from the digital fraud going on these days and he lost Rs 7.29 lakh. The swindler, pretending to be a TRAI employee, threatened and extorted money in the name of digital arrest. Learn about the case in detail:

The 25-year-old student received a call from an unknown number in July. The caller introduced himself as a TRAI employee. Said in the conversation that 17 complaints of illegal activities have been registered against his mobile number and to save his number from being blocked the student has to obtain NOC from the police. The caller further said that he is transferring the call to the cyber crime branch.

Also read: Attempt to cheat the DCP of Crime Branch by mistaking him for a common man, cyber thugs were shocked when they saw police uniform in front: Digital Arrest

After this, a man appeared as a police officer on a WhatsApp video call. He asked the student for his Aadhaar number in a harsh voice. After this a series of allegations were made. He said that he is involved in money laundering. The student was forced to immediately transfer Rs 29,500 through UPI. The swindler threatened that he has been put under digital arrest and cannot contact anyone now.

The next day he was called again and demanded more money. This time, ask for bank details from the student. After this the thugs withdrew Rs 7 lakh from his account. After withdrawing the money, the swindler tells him that he is now safe and will not be arrested anymore.

When the student searched online about 'digital arrest', he realized that he had become a victim of fraud. After this he contacted the police and lodged a complaint against unknown accused.

Digital arrest is a form of cyber fraud, in which fraudsters impersonate ED officers or employees of government agencies and threaten through audio or video calls. By holding them digitally hostage and giving them money, they are strengthened.