IT company executive in Bengaluru loses over ₹31 crore in ‘digital arrest’ scam
In one of the biggest cyber fraud cases reported in recent months, a 57-year-old senior executive of an IT company in Bengaluru was allegedly duped of ₹31.83 crore in a year in a meticulously planned ‘digital arrest’ scam by a gang posing as a courier company, Cyber Crime Department, CBI and RBI officials.
Allegedly, the victim received a phone call from a person claiming to be from a well-known cargo company on September 15, 2024. He alleged that a package booked in his name at the company’s Andheri branch in Mumbai contained prohibited items, including credit cards, passports and MDMA (narcotic substance). When the victim denied any connection with the package, he was told that his identity had been misused and the matter would be handed over to the cybercrime department.
The call was then forwarded to people posing as CBI officers, who threatened him with arrest and claimed that all evidence pointed to his involvement. They warned him not to contact the local police or disclose the matter to anyone, saying his family’s safety could be at risk because ‘criminals are watching him’.
The manager complied with this decision, fearing negative consequences, especially as his son’s wedding approached. He was instructed to install Skype, a video messaging tool, and stay on video connection; the fraudsters kept him under ‘digital house arrest’ for days. The impersonators, identifying themselves as ‘CBI officers’ Mohit Handa and Pradeep Singh, forced him to prove his innocence by ‘verifying’ their presence with ‘RBI’s Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU)’.
The complainant was shown false documents and was told that the gang had accessed his income tax returns, lending credibility to the ruse. He was told to transfer 90 percent of his assets to certain accounts. Between September 24 and October 22, 2024, he submitted the details and transferred the money after receiving forged letters allegedly signed by ‘Nitin Patel of the Cyber Crime Department’.
Scammers continued to demand more money, citing new guidelines, bail bonds and tax requirements. The victim transferred ₹2 crore as surety from October 24 to November 3 and another ₹2.4 crore as ‘tax’ by November 18.
On 1 December 2024 the complainant received a fabricated ‘letter of permission’. Believing that the ordeal was over, she went ahead with her son’s engagement. However, he continued to be followed by fraudsters via Skype and was repeatedly promised that his money would be refunded after ‘procedural clearances’.
The gang last contacted him on March 26, 2025, after which communication suddenly ceased.
Only after recovering from severe physical and mental distress caused by prolonged intimidation and after her son’s wedding did she contact the police.
The complainant made 187 transactions totaling ₹31.83 crore from his bank account.
Police are now trying to trace the accused based on financial transactions.
It was published – 17 November 2025 13:23 IST
