Cyber trauma: Crooks force 2 Bengaluru women to strip during digital arrest; 'physical examination' to identify birthmarks, moles

Bengaluru: In a chilling reminder of how far cybercriminals will go, two women were digitally held hostage and forced to strip by fake cops in a digital arrest scam. The criminals had ordered the women to disrobe as part of an online "physical examination" to identify birth marks and moles. The women, who are childhood friends, realised they were victims of online fraud and extortion only when they reached out to another friend after being held hostage by the cybercriminals for nearly nine hours, despite having transferred Rs 58,447 to them. A complaint has been lodged with the East CEN Crime police.

While Anne (name changed) is a resident of the city, her friend Richa, who works in Thailand as an instructor, was on a visit to Bengaluru when the duo got trapped in a web of deception.

Their ordeal started at 11am on July 17 when Richa received a call from the number 8856062795. The caller introduced himself as a police officer from Colaba police station in Mumbai and accused her of being involved in money laundering linked to Jet Airways founder Naresh Goyal.

He also accused her of being involved in human trafficking and a murder case.A shocked Richa tried to explain she was on a visit to India and had no connection to the case.

The caller, however, shared details of a debit card she was using and managed to scare her of arrest. Spooked on being furnished with her personal debit card details and official-looking documents, including forged arrest warrants and Central Bureau of Investigation ID cards, Anne also was convinced and fell prey to the ruse. While more fraudsters joined in, the women were made to believe the call was being made from a police station. To further deceive the women, the fraudsters made a video call claiming to connect them to officers from CBI. The crooks told the women they had to be kept under digital arrest at home, and had to stay on a WhatsApp video call for 24 hours.They told the victims that according to Reserve Bank rules, the transactions done from their bank accounts needed to be verified. The women were told to transfer money to an account provided by the fraudsters, on the promise it would be returned after the verification process if the money wasn't found to be black.

Richa transferred Rs 58,447 from her bank account. The fraudsters also impersonated officials from the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India and Delhi police.Online medical examAfter receiving the money, the fraudsters told the victims they needed to get clearance, for which they had to undergo a medical examination online. This was to identify and ensure there were no "bullet marks, moles, or tattoos" on their bodies. The women were asked to strip naked and follow instructions, which they complied with, Anne told police, adding that she was also told that her entire house was under surveillance and an arrest warrant was issued against Richa.

A senior police officer said the women had no idea that the fraudsters were recording them nude under the pretext of medical examination. When the women stripped, the miscreants also allegedly body shamed them.Helpful call to friendAfter suffering tremendous pressure and harassment, Richa decided to reach out to a friend for assistance. She made a WhatsApp call around 8pm, and after she explained the ordeal, the friend advised her to disconnect all the calls and not transfer any more money.

After the call was disconnected, the fraudsters attempted to reach the women again and sent across their nude photos and videos, threatening to make them public.Anne told police that the photos and videos shared by the fraudsters to both their phones weren't downloaded or saved. They deleted them as they had been digitally and physically abused and under tremendous fear and shame for nine hours.A senior police officer said a case has been registered under various sections of the Information Technology Act and Section 318 (cheating) of Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.