Mumbai Doctor Loses ₹3 Crore After 8-Day ‘Digital Arrest’ Ordeal

Mumbai — What began as an ordinary day in May turned into a nightmare for a 70-year-old Mumbai-based doctor, who became the victim of a meticulously orchestrated cybercrime. Over the course of eight days, she was psychologically trapped, threatened, and manipulated—eventually losing ₹3 crore to cybercriminals posing as government officials.

The Call That Triggered the Ordeal

It started with a phone call from a man who introduced himself as Amit Kumar, allegedly an employee from the telecom department. He claimed that a SIM card issued using her identity was linked to criminal activities. Before she could fully process the accusation, another caller took over — this time identifying himself as Crime Branch officer Samadhan Pawar.

He went a step further, alleging that her bank details had surfaced during a raid at the home of an airline company owner arrested in a money laundering case. To make their claims believable, the fraudsters forwarded forged documents supposedly from top agencies like the CBI, Enforcement Directorate, and RBI.

A Well-Staged Illusion of Authority

To reinforce the deception, a man dressed in a police uniform appeared on a video call, even speaking to her husband. With such convincing theatrics and constant pressure, the doctor felt cornered — not wanting to risk legal trouble over something she didn’t understand.

That’s when the perpetrators placed her under what they chillingly referred to as “digital arrest.”

Eight Days of Psychological Captivity

She was instructed to remain under constant video surveillance, compelled to check in every hour, and warned not to speak to anyone. Terrified and isolated, she complied with every instruction — believing her freedom depended on it.

Under relentless fear and confusion, she transferred ₹3 crore to multiple bank accounts provided by the fraudsters.

The Aftermath

Once she gathered the courage to break free from the mental trap, she approached the West Region Cyber Police Station on June 5, where a case was promptly registered.

Investigations revealed that ₹82 lakh of the stolen funds had already been converted into cryptocurrency, making recovery more challenging. Authorities are now pursuing the culprits and working to trace the money.

A Wake-Up Call for All

This incident serves as a stark reminder that cybercriminals are increasingly exploiting fear, authority, and trust — not just technology. Even educated and experienced individuals can become targets.

Police urge citizens never to share personal or financial details over phone calls, regardless of who claims to be calling. Government officials never demand money transfers over calls or place anyone under “digital arrest.”