Hyderabad businessman loses over Rs 7 crore in digital arrest scam impersonating Mumbai Police

An 81-year-old retired businessman from Hyderabad has reported being cheated of more than Rs 7.12 crore in a sophisticated cyber fraud that followed the now-familiar “digital arrest” pattern, officials of the Telangana Cyber Security Bureau (TGCSB) confirmed.

The case, reported on January 2, mirrors several recent incidents across Indian cities, where victims are psychologically cornered through fake law enforcement threats and forced into transferring large sums of money.

How the scam began

According to the complaint, the fraud started on October 27, 2025, when the victim received a WhatsApp call from a man claiming to be Sunil Sharma from Blue Dart customer care.

The caller alleged that a parcel booked in the businessman’s name from Mumbai to Bangkok contained a laptop, five passports and 200 grams of MDMA, a banned narcotic substance.

Within minutes, a second caller, impersonating a Mumbai Crime Branch officer, contacted the victim and claimed that serious offences had been registered against him.

Threats of arrest and fake criminal charges

The impostors told the businessman he was facing charges related to drug trafficking, extortion, money laundering and terrorism. He was warned that immediate arrest was imminent.

The scammers then placed him under what they described as <u>“digital arrest”</u>, instructing him not to speak to family members, bankers or lawyers. Officials said this isolation tactic is central to such frauds.

Coerced transfers and controlled communication

Under sustained intimidation, the victim was ordered to disclose details of his investments and bank accounts.

On October 29, he transferred Rs 19.8 lakh to a City Union Bank account provided by the fraudsters. He was then instructed to install the Signal messaging app, which the scammers used for encrypted communication.

Between November 6 and December 5, the businessman carried out five RTGS transfers to multiple bank accounts, pushing the total loss to over Rs 7.12 crore, TGCSB officials said.

Final demand raised suspicion

On December 29, the fraudsters demanded an additional Rs 1.2 crore, claiming it was required to close the fabricated case file.

This final demand triggered suspicion, and the victim lodged a formal complaint on December 31, leading to the registration of a cybercrime case.

What authorities say

Cybercrime officials said the case fits a growing national pattern where criminals combine courier fraud, fake police identities and digital isolation to extort money, particularly from elderly individuals.

<u>Police agencies reiterated that no law enforcement authority conducts arrests, investigations or asset verification through video calls or messaging apps</u>.

Why this matters now

Digital arrest scams are becoming larger in scale and more psychologically manipulative, with losses now running into crores per victim. Experts warn that seniors and individuals unfamiliar with cybercrime tactics are especially vulnerable.

The case also underscores the need for family awareness and early intervention, as scammers deliberately cut victims off from real-world support.

What to watch next

• Progress of the TGCSB investigation and efforts to trace beneficiary accounts.

• Possible banking advisories on large-value transfers by senior citizens.

• Increased public alerts on digital arrest and fake police impersonation scams.