Scammers Posing as Police, NIA and ATS Officials Kept 75-Year-Old Under Psychological Pressure for Days
A shocking case of cyber fraud has emerged from Lucknow, where a 75-year-old retired government doctor was allegedly duped of Rs 1.55 crore by fraudsters who posed as law enforcement officials and subjected her to a so-called “digital arrest.”
Fraudsters Impersonated Top Agencies
According to reports, the incident began on April 11 when the victim, a retired officer from state health services, received a call from an individual claiming to be a police inspector from headquarters. The caller alleged that her Aadhaar number had been linked to illegal and terrorist activities.
The scammers escalated the pressure by impersonating officials from agencies like the National Investigation Agency (NIA) and the Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS), warning her of severe legal consequences.
‘Digital Arrest’ Used to Control Victim
The fraudsters instructed the elderly doctor to obtain a “clearance certificate” and strictly warned her not to share the matter with anyone. Living alone and gripped by fear, she complied.
Over the next seven days, she remained under constant surveillance and pressure—commonly referred to as “digital arrest”—where victims are psychologically manipulated into isolation and obedience.
During this period, she transferred money in multiple transactions to bank accounts provided by the scammers.
Rs 1.55 Crore Transferred in Four Installments
In total, the victim transferred Rs 1.55 crore in four installments. The fraudsters assured her that the amount would be refunded after verification. However, once the transactions were completed, they cut off all communication.
Realizing she had been cheated, the doctor approached the police and filed a complaint.
Police Launch Investigation
Authorities have registered a case and initiated an investigation. Officials are currently tracing the transaction trail and working to identify the culprits involved in the fraud network.
Similar Cyber Fraud Case Reported Earlier
In a related incident, cybercriminals allegedly siphoned off Rs 92.5 lakh from a doctor-cum-General Manager of a hospital in Baramati by hacking into two bank accounts. The victim had lodged a complaint with the Baramati City Police following the breach.
Rising Threat of ‘Digital Arrest’ Scams
This case highlights the growing threat of sophisticated cyber frauds targeting vulnerable individuals, especially senior citizens. Experts advise people to remain cautious of unsolicited calls from individuals claiming to be government or law enforcement officials and to verify such claims through official channels before taking any action.
