Hyderabad: Cyber Crime Police in Hyderabad have arrested two men from Maharashtra in connection with a ₹6.6 lakh cyber fraud that led to the death of a 76-year-old retired doctor.
Modus Operandi of the Fraud
Police revealed that one of the accused, a water purifier technician, operated the bank account used to receive the money, while the other, a businessman, arranged for the account. The fraudsters posed as Bengaluru police and officials from various agencies, using forged documents with the names of the Supreme Court, Enforcement Directorate, and RBI to falsely implicate the victim in a human trafficking case.
Victim Subjected to “Digital Arrest”
Between September 5 and 8, the doctor received repeated WhatsApp calls and threats of arrest. Under pressure, she transferred ₹6,60,543 from her pension account to an ICICI Bank account controlled by the accused. Despite compliance, the intimidation continued, causing immense psychological trauma.
Tragic Outcome
The retired doctor, kept under what police described as a “digital arrest” for nearly 70 hours, collapsed due to a cardiac arrest on September 8. Investigators confirmed that the relentless harassment and extortion directly contributed to her death. Shockingly, the intimidation from fraudsters continued even after her demise.
Police Advisory
Hyderabad Cyber Crime Police have booked the accused for cyber fraud and harassment. Investigators explained that caller ID spoofing, WhatsApp video calls, and forged warrants were used to frighten victims. Authorities stressed that “digital arrest” is a fake concept and no law enforcement agency ever demands money to clear names or issue certificates.
