Delhi: 72-Year-old retired engineer duped of Rs 10 crore in digital arrest scam for 8 hours

Delhi Crime: A shocking case of cybercrime has come to light in Delhi, where a 72-year-old retired engineer was extorted out of ₹10 crore by cybercriminals after being held in a so-called "digital arrest" for over eight hours. The victim, a resident of Rohini Sector 10, was lured into the trap by a call from scammers claiming to have intercepted a parcel meant for him from Taiwan. The Delhi Police's Cyber Cell has launched an investigation and filed an FIR while managing to freeze ₹60 lakh of the extorted amount.

How the Scam Unfolded

The victim received an alarming phone call informing him that a parcel addressed to him had been intercepted at the Mumbai airport. The caller claimed the parcel contained drugs and that Mumbai Police Crime Branch officials would be in touch with him. Fearing for his safety and confused by the gravity of the situation, the retired engineer was instructed to download Skype for a video call.

Once connected, the cybercriminals manipulated him into staying on the video call for at least eight hours, during which he was told that he would face severe legal consequences unless he paid a large sum. The scammer threatened the victim, saying that his children, living abroad, would also be targeted unless the payment was made immediately.

The Extortion Process

During the video call, the criminals kept the victim under "digital arrest," preventing him from disconnecting or seeking help. Under duress, the engineer was forced to transfer ₹10.3 crore in several installments to various bank accounts provided by the criminals. It wasn’t until after the transaction that the victim informed his family of the crime.

His family, alarmed by the amount of money transferred and the unusual circumstances, approached the Delhi Police Cyber Cell in the first week of October. Upon investigation, the police suspect that the scam was masterminded by international callers, with local associates helping them gather information about the victim.

Investigation and Response

The Delhi Police have launched a dedicated task force to recover the extorted funds, freezing ₹60 lakh from the total amount. The police have issued warnings to the public about such scams, which have become increasingly prevalent in recent times. The incident serves as a stark reminder of the growing threats posed by cybercriminals