A Kolkata widow of a senior Indian Army officer has lost Rs 15 lakh after cybercriminals allegedly posed as Mumbai Police officers and used a “digital arrest” ploy to pressure her into paying money, police said.
How the fraud unfolded
The woman, 69, received calls on October 13 and 14 from people who claimed she was linked to serious criminal cases. The callers also falsely told her that all mobile numbers registered in her name had been seized and warned that she could be arrested immediately.
During video calls, the impersonators appeared in police uniform and displayed forged documents carrying official seals and the national emblem. Fearing legal trouble, the widow shared personal and banking details with them and later transferred Rs 15 lakh to accounts provided by the fraudsters.
Complaint and investigation
An FIR was registered on October 20 after the woman lodged a complaint. Kalighat police and the south division cyber cell are investigating the matter, including the beneficiary bank accounts and the phone numbers used by the callers. Investigators are also checking transaction trails to identify other suspects and determine whether a wider network is involved.
Police warning on ‘digital arrest’ scams
A senior divisional police officer said older adults often place a deep trust in government institutions such as the CBI or Customs, which can make them more vulnerable when fraudsters use forged papers and official-looking symbols during video calls. Police stressed that genuine officers do not ask for money or bank details over calls or messages.
Authorities urged citizens, especially senior citizens, to disconnect suspicious calls at once and report them on the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal (cybercrime.gov.in) or at the nearest police station. They also said there is no legal provision for a “digital arrest”; law enforcement agencies do not place people under virtual custody, demand transfers of funds to clear a name, or insist on secrecy from family members during an investigation.
No arrests have been reported in this specific case so far, and the investigation is continuing.
