Lucknow News: A doctor in Uttar Pradesh's Lucknow was recently duped of Rs 2.81 crore after she was ‘digitally arrested’ by cyber thugs posing as officials of the Central Bureau of Investigation. Dr Ruchika Tandon, an associate professor in the Neurology department of Lucknow's Sanjay Gandhi Postgraduate Institute of Medical Sciences (SGPGIMS) approached the Cyber police station in Lucknow following which police lodged an FIR into the case.
According to police, this was the 20th incident of ‘digital arrest’ in the city.
Narrating her ordeal, Dr Tandon said, "I received a call in the morning, with the caller introducing himself from TRAI (Telecom Regulatory Authority of India) and told me that my phone will be switched off as per instructions from the police because several complaints were lodged with Mumbai Cyber Crime cell against my number for harassing messages being sent to people."
According to the victims, the thugs then made her talk to a so-called IPS officer, who told me that one of my bank accounts was linked with illegal activities, such as money laundering worth Rs 7 crore.
"He said he has received orders to arrest me immediately, and if I am unable to go to them, they will take me in 'digital custody'. They then made me speak to a CBI officer. They also asked me not to tell about it to anyone since this was a matter of national importance," she added.
A “digital arrest” or "digital custody" is a deceptive tactic used by cybercriminals to exploit individuals under the guise of law enforcement or investigative agencies. It typically involves fraudsters approaching potential victims through digital means and falsely claiming that they are under investigation. They often demand sensitive information, such as personal or financial details.
Speaking on Dr Tandon's case, Ghulam, Investigating Officer, Cyber Police Station Lucknow, said, "If we talk from the point of view of the law, there is no such term as 'digital arrest', but the modus operandi of cyber criminals today... when the name of a big investigating is cited, people start panicking thinking they have been named in a case. They make the victims download Skype for video calling, in which they can be seen wearing police uniforms but don't show their face and tell that they cannot reveal their identity. They first take all information from the victim and then tell them that they have been arrested, they cannot talk to anyone, not even on phone."
Meanwhile, Raveena Tyagi, DCP Central, Lucknow said a case has been registered in the matter the the probe is on.