Archive · 5 Aug 2026
Retired Banker Duped in Rs 1.05 Crore Digital Arrest Scam
A 72-year-old retired banker in India received a scary phone call from a stranger.
The stranger said the man's ID card and bank card were linked to a crime.
Then a fake policeman video-called him and showed the Indian flag and a police emblem to look real.
He said the man's bank account was used for money laundering and terror funding.
The fake officer warned that if the man did not cooperate, he could be arrested and his family could face trouble.
The man got frightened and took money out of his fixed deposits to pay them.
He gave away Rs 1.05 crore in three big transfers.
The scammers promised the money would be returned after verification, but it never was.
When he asked for their identity cards, they refused to show them.
He realized it was a trick and reported it to the police, who are now investigating.
Pune City Cyber Police registered an FIR after a 72-year-old retired banker was allegedly duped of Rs 1.05 crore in a 'digital arrest' scam.
The fraud began on July 25 when the victim received a call claiming his Aadhaar card and debit card were linked to a money laundering case.
Fraudsters posing as police officers sent forged documents bearing government letterheads and claimed the victim's account was used for money laundering and terror financing.
Believing the threats of arrest, the victim broke his fixed deposits and transferred Rs 1.05 crore in three RTGS transactions between July 27 and July 28.
The fraud came to light on July 29 when the fraudsters avoided sharing photographs of their identity cards after being asked.
- Who
- A 72-year-old retired employee of a Central government banking institution, fraudsters impersonating police officers, and the Pune City Cyber Police.
- What
- The victim was duped of Rs 1.05 crore in a 'digital arrest' scam involving forged documents and false terror-financing and money-laundering claims.
- When
- The fraud began on July 25; money was transferred between July 27 and July 28; the fraud was discovered on July 29.
- Where
- Pune, Maharashtra, with callers claiming to be from Colaba police station in Mumbai.
- Why
- Fraudsters threatened the victim with arrest and told him his cards were linked to money laundering and terror financing, pressuring him to transfer funds.
- Amount defrauded
- Rs 1.05 crore
- Victim profile
- 72-year-old retired from a Central government banking institution
- Scam type
- Digital arrest scam with impersonation and forged documents
- Fraud start date
- July 25
- Transfers
- Three RTGS transactions between July 27 and July 28
- Discovery date
- July 29
- Police unit
- Pune City Cyber Police (FIR registered)