Digital Arrest? Pune Woman Duped of Rs 33.81 Lakh by Online Fraudsters Posing as Police, TRAI Officials
Pune, 22nd December 2024: A 32-year-old homemaker from Vadgaonsheri was scammed of ₹33.81 lakh by fraudsters who posed as officials from the Mumbai police and the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI). The criminals intimidated her by claiming she was under “digital arrest” for alleged misuse of a SIM card issued in her name.
According to the police, the woman, fearing legal consequences, transferred the money into the fraudsters’ accounts. After realising she had been deceived, she filed a complaint with the city’s cybercrime police, which led to an FIR being registered at the Yerawada police station on Friday.
The Scam Unfolds
As per the FIR, the victim received a call on December 7 from an individual claiming to be a TRAI official. The caller alleged that a SIM card in her name had been misused by an unknown person and that the Mumbai police had filed an FIR against the misuse. To add to the pressure, the caller connected her to an accomplice impersonating a Mumbai police officer. This individual falsely informed her that she was under “digital arrest” for 14 days due to the FIR.
The fraudsters escalated their scheme by involving another accomplice, who posed as a Deputy Commissioner of Police (Cyber). During a video call, the so-called officer told the victim that her Aadhaar card, biometric details, and other documents had been used for illegal purposes. He demanded she provide her Aadhaar card, PAN card, and bank account details for “verification.”
Financial Loss
Under the pretext of resolving the issue, the scammers persuaded the woman to disclose information about her bank accounts. They then coerced her into transferring ₹33.81 lakh to accounts they controlled, threatening legal action and arrest if she refused to comply. The victim only realised she had been conned when the fraudsters stopped communicating with her. She immediately approached the authorities to report the incident.
Police Investigation
Senior Inspector Ravindra Shelke of Yerawada police stated, “We are investigating the case and have reached out to banks, telecom companies, and online payment platforms to gather details of the financial transactions, calls, and messages involved. Efforts are underway to trace the culprits.”
The police have urged citizens to remain vigilant against such scams and avoid sharing personal or financial details over the phone, especially under threats of legal action.
