Bengaluru Techie Loses ₹11.8 Crore in “Digital Arrest” Scam Over 18 Days

A Bengaluru software engineer recently fell victim to a complex cyber scam, losing ₹11.8 crore in just 18 days. The incident highlights the growing sophistication of cybercrimes in India, particularly in tech hubs like Bengaluru. The victim, whose identity remains private, has filed a complaint with the North-East Cyber, Economic, and Narcotics (CEN) police station, prompting an investigation into the case. 

The scam began when the victim received a call from someone posing as an official from the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI). The caller falsely claimed that a SIM card linked to the victim’s Aadhaar number was being used for illegal activities, including harassment and fraudulent advertisements. Soon after, another individual alleged that the victim’s Aadhaar had been misused to open a bank account involved in money laundering. 

To add credibility to their claims, the fraudsters insisted the victim participate in a “virtual investigation” via Skype. Over several calls, they impersonated senior police officers and pressured him to transfer funds for so-called “verification purposes.” They further threatened legal action and arrest of the victim’s family if he failed to comply.

Under these threats, the victim made multiple payments, starting with ₹75 lakh and eventually transferring a total of ₹11.8 crore to different accounts. 

It was only after weeks of continuous coercion that he realized he had been de

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