Fear of ‘Digital Arrest’ Leads to Rs 13 Lakh Fraud in Pune

Pune, 22nd January 2025: In a series of alarming cyber fraud incidents, several residents of Pune, including a woman from Pashan, have lost substantial amounts of money to cyber thieves employing fear tactics and false promises. Cases have been registered at Baner police station, highlighting a growing trend of digital scams.

Woman Duped of Rs 13 Lakh Through ‘Digital Arrest’ Threat

A woman from Pashan was swindled out of Rs 13.23 lakh by cyber thieves who claimed her bank account was implicated in black money transactions. Posing as officials from the Mumbai Crime Branch, the scammers called her on January 2, threatening her with a “digital arrest” if she failed to comply. To avoid the purported arrest, the woman was instructed to transfer the amount to a specified account, which she did. Upon realizing the deception, she lodged a complaint at Baner police station, where Senior Police Inspector Navnath Jagtap is leading the investigation.

Man Loses Rs 17 Lakh in Stock Market Fraud

In another case, cyber criminals lured a Pashan resident into investing Rs 17.32 lakh in a fake stock market scheme. Initially, the scammers returned small profits to gain the victim’s trust, prompting him to invest a larger amount. However, once the money was transferred, the returns ceased, and the scammers vanished. The victim has also filed a complaint at Baner police station.

Home Loan Scam Cheats Young Woman

A young woman from Baner was conned out of Rs 1.88 lakh under the pretext of securing a home loan. The victim had contacted a bank portal seeking a loan, after which she received a message from a scammer posing as Darshan Tukaram Parate. The scammer requested her Aadhaar card and bank details, claiming her loan of Rs 35 lakh was approved. He then demanded a deposit of Rs 1.88 lakh to finalize the process, following which the woman realized she had been duped.

Rise in Cybercrime Tactics

Scammers are increasingly exploiting fear and trust, using tactics such as threats of “digital arrest” and fraudulent investment schemes. Police have noted a surge in such cases and have urged citizens to remain vigilant.

Police Advisory

• Ignore messages or calls threatening legal action or offering lucrative financial returns.
• Do not share sensitive documents or personal details without verifying the authenticity of the request.
• Contact cyber police immediately if approached by suspected scammers.