Senior citizen falls victim to Digital Arrest in Bhubaneswar

Bhubaneswar(By Abhishek Mohanty):
In a shocking case of cyber fraud, a senior citizen in Bhubaneswar became the victim of a digital arrest scam, losing a staggering Rs 1.5 crore to cybercriminals posing as officials of the Customs Department.

The victim, a retired chartered accountant, was reportedly deceived in two phases by the fraudsters, who fabricated an elaborate story to extort money. The scammers subjected him to a virtual house arrest for nearly 10 days, constantly monitoring and intimidating him through online video calls and messages.

According to police sources, the fraudsters convinced the victim that a parcel registered in his name contained illegal items and that he was under investigation. 

Exploiting fear and confusion, they coerced him into transferring the large sum under the pretext of “clearing” the charges and avoiding arrest.

The victim has lodged a formal complaint at the Cyber Police Station in Bhubaneswar. An investigation has been started to trace the culprits behind the sophisticated cybercrime.