A Noida woman found herself ensnared in a novel cyber scam as imposters, posing as law enforcement personnel, digitally arrested her for an alleged money-laundering scheme, leading to a loss of over ₹11 lakh. The fraud, characterized as a ‘digital arrest,’ involves a complex ruse exploiting personal information to fabricate fictitious legal entanglements.
The Uttar Pradesh Police initiated an investigation into this pioneering cyber fraud incident after the victim lodged a complaint. Perpetrators, masquerading as police officials, orchestrated a fabricated scenario, falsely linking the victim to an imaginary money-laundering affair, involving the names of notable personalities.
This cyber scam mirrors a similar case reported in Faridabad, where fraudsters, impersonating law enforcement authorities, digitally detained a woman for an extended period, coercing her into an online vigil via Skype under the guise of illegal identity use.
The victim detailed her distressing encounter, narrating how she was contacted via an interactive call and coerced into a ‘virtual interrogation’ on Skype, where she was manipulated into transferring substantial amounts, ostensibly for investigation purposes. The scamsters exploited her personal information and even urged her to secure a loan to fulfill their illicit demands.
Authorities have registered an FIR under relevant cyber laws and urge vigilance against such emerging online frauds. They emphasize that police never conduct digital interrogations, advising individuals to promptly report suspicious activities and verify authenticity before succumbing to online threats.
Inspector Reeta Yadav, overseeing the Cyber Crime police station, underscores the need for caution and encourages people to seek proper legal notices and report such incidents promptly to the authorities.
As cyber frauds evolve, citizens are urged to stay cautious, verify official communications, and report any suspicious digital interactions to prevent falling prey to such deceptive practices.
Sources By Agencies
