Bengaluru Woman Duped Of Rs 32 Crore By Cybercriminals Over Months in Digital-Arrest Scam

The digital-arrest scam is a sophisticated cyber fraud affecting individuals across India. In a recent case, a 57-year-old senior IT professional from Bengaluru’s Indiranagar became a victim of this digital arrest, resulting in a loss of Rs 31.83 crore.

The fraud began on September 15, 2024, when she got a call from someone claiming to be from DHL. She was told that a package in her name containing credit cards, passports, and prohibited drugs had arrived at a Mumbai courier centre.

After she mentioned living in Bengaluru with no link to the courier, the caller claimed her phone number was involved in a cybercrime and advised her to approach the cybercrime cell. The call was then handed over to someone impersonating a CBI officer.

According to Deccan Herald, between September 2024 and March 2025, she transferred her savings and liquidated fixed deposits across 187 transactions, totaling Rs 31.83 crore, under repeated assurances that the money would be returned after verification. She even received a clearance certificate in December 2024, days before her son’s engagement.

During this period, the victim was reportedly placed under virtual “house arrest” via Skype calls, while fraudsters threatened her against contacting local authorities or seeking legal help. The fraudsters reportedly threatened her by saying her family could face consequences if she didn’t follow their instructions.

The ordeal continued till March 26, 2025, with the perpetrators repeatedly giving excuses for delays while suddenly cutting off all communication. The victim told police that she delayed filing a complaint due to shock, her son’s wedding, international travel, and illness.

After her complaint, the East Cybercrime Police registered an FIR on November 14 and launched a probe. The transaction trail is being examined by authorities, and due to the large amount involved, the matter is likely to be handed over to the CID for additional investigation.

This case shows the increasingly sophisticated tactics used in digital scams that include impersonation of authorities, continuous surveillance, and psychological pressure to force victims into transferring large sums.