Doc loses Rs 15 lakh in 'digital arrest' scam

Belagavi: Cyber criminals have defrauded an 83-year-old doctor of Rs 15 lakh by impersonating Delhi High Court officials and holding her under ‘digital arrest’ (keeping her under continuous video surveillance for ten days.According to cyber police, the victim, Dr Vijaya of Belagavi, received a video call in early April from fraudsters posing as court-related officials. They displayed visuals of courtrooms, judges, and officials to establish credibility and falsely claimed she was under investigation in a serious financial fraud case. She was warned not to contact anyone, including her family members, under threat of arrest.Under sustained psychological pressure, the accused extracted sensitive financial details, including bank accounts, fixed deposits (FDs), and assets.

They coerced her into prematurely breaking FDs and transferring Rs 15 lakh to an account linked to a private firm on April 7.Realising that she had been conned, the victim lodged a complaint in Belagavi CEN police station on Saturday. Besides filing a case against unknown persons, police are tracking financial transaction trails.Police said ‘digital arrest’ is an emerging cyber fraud tactic where criminals exploit fear by impersonating agencies like the CBI, ED, police, or courts to extort money through intimidation and misinformation.