Retired Coal India Employee Defrauded of ₹1.1 Crore in Digital Arrest Scam.

Kolkata, August 5, 2025 Bidhannagar Cybercrime Police have detained three young men from Odisha in relation to a ₹1.1 crore “digital arrest” scam that targets a retired Coal India employee who is 68 years old.

What took place?
In July 2025, the victim allegedly underwent a four-day virtual “digital arrest.” Under the guise of legal and court fees, scammers demanded money from him after posing as Mumbai Police officers and Telecom Regulatory Authority officials, accusing him of being involved in a well-known fraud case.The man thought he was following court orders when he transferred his retirement funds.

Arrest and Investigation Three Jagatsinghpur, Odisha, natives, Akash Kumar Nath (19), Nilkantha Nayak (19), and Manoranjan Parida (26), have been placed under arrest. After the victim became suspicious after being told to take out a gold loan and after attempting to contact them via a phony website, Cyber Police launched an investigation. Context and Background
This case is a severe illustration of the “digital arrest scam,” a new trend in cyber-fraud where scammers use phony legal threats, forged documents, and video calls to trick victims. Earlier, in July 2025, a Kalyani court found nine people guilty of extorting a retired academic for almost ₹1 crore in India’s first such scam. Syndicates based in Cambodia and the surrounding areas frequently plan these scams, posing as law enforcement and using Indian SIM cards to route calls. Public authorities are cautioned that there is no such thing as a “digital arrest” in the legal system. Reputable organizations never use video calls or WhatsApp to ask for money. Citizens are suggested to exercise caution, avoid from clicking on dubious links, and report any such messages right away by calling the national cybercrime helpline (1930) or visiting www.cybercrime.gov.in.