Cyber fraud cases continue to rise in Pune, with criminals increasingly using fear and manipulation to target victims. From fake trading apps on WhatsApp to so-called “digital arrest” scams, fraudsters are exploiting trust and technology to steal life savings, leaving many victims financially and emotionally devastated. Authorities say several such cases have surfaced in recent months, with losses running into crores of rupees.
Despite repeated awareness campaigns stating that there is no such thing as a “digital arrest”, many people still fall victim to this tactic. Fraudsters pose as law enforcement or government officials and create panic by claiming the victim is under investigation. They then pressure victims to transfer large amounts of money to avoid legal consequences.
One such case involved an 82-year-old retired manager in Pune who was manipulated by cybercriminals for more than 2 months. During this period, the fraudsters, posing as officers from the Mumbai Crime Branch and the Central Bureau of Investigation, convinced him to transfer ₹2.74 crore from his life savings.
According to investigators, the scam began in the first week of January when the victim received a message from individuals claiming to be investigators in a money-laundering case. They alleged that his bank accounts and identity documents were linked to a financial crime involving a former airline owner and claimed that a case had already been registered against him.
The victim was then told he was under “digital arrest” and instructed to remain on calls with the supposed officers. He was also warned not to discuss the matter with anyone.
Senior Police Inspector Swapnali Shinde from the Cyber Crime Branch Pune said the fraudsters used intimidation to control the victim.
“The fraudsters posed as officers from the central investigating agencies and used intimidation to convince the victim that he was under investigation. Through continuous communication and threats of legal action, they forced him to transfer large sums of money,” Shinde added.
Police said the scammers repeatedly warned the victim that informing family members could worsen the case. Under pressure, he shared his bank details, PAN and Aadhaar information.
The fraudsters then asked him to send money to multiple bank accounts as “verification deposits” to prove his innocence. Believing he was cooperating with genuine authorities, the victim transferred money over several weeks to 12 different bank accounts provided by the suspects.
By the time the victim began questioning the process, ₹2.74 crore had already been transferred. Cyber police say once such transactions begin, scammers quickly move the money through multiple accounts to make investigations more difficult.
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