A senior doctor from Maharashtra has reportedly lost more than Rs 7 crore after falling victim to a “digital arrest” scam. The incident came to light when the doctor lodged a complaint at the Cyber Police Station in Ahilyanagar on Monday, revealing how cybercriminals posed as officials from the Supreme Court, the Enforcement Directorate (ED), and the police to extort money.
According to the complaint, the doctor began receiving frequent WhatsApp video calls from unidentified numbers between September 7 and October 10. During one of these calls, the fraudsters claimed that criminal cases related to illegal advertising, obscenity, and harassment had been filed against him. They then conducted what appeared to be an interrogation.
The scammers later impersonated a police officer and a judge, falsely declaring that the doctor was under “digital arrest.”
“You are under house arrest, and we are monitoring your every move. Your account contains black money. You could be arrested, and your children’s future will be ruined,” they allegedly told him.
To make the deception convincing, the fraudsters sent forged documents, including official-looking orders, notices, and identification cards in the names of the Supreme Court and central investigative agencies. Under immense psychological pressure, the doctor transferred Rs 7.17 crore to several bank accounts provided by the accused.
After the transactions, the doctor discussed the matter with acquaintances and began suspecting foul play. On verifying the documents, he discovered that they were fake and immediately approached the cyber police to file a complaint.
The complaint included multiple phone numbers and bank accounts used by the scammers. Police have registered a case against unidentified individuals, and the Cyber Crime Branch has begun tracking the digital trail to identify and apprehend those involved.
Authorities have urged citizens to remain cautious and verify any such claims directly with official agencies before transferring money or sharing personal details.
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