11 March,2026 11:25 AM IST | Thane | mid-day online correspondent
The fraudsters forced the victim to install a messaging app on his wife’s phone to maintain constant audio and video monitoring. Representational Pic/File/iStock
A senior citizen was allegedly duped of Rs 1.56 crore in "digital arrest" scam and following a complaint the Thane police has launched a probe into the matter, reported the PTI.
According to the police, the 64-year-old resident of Katrap in Badlapur area of Thane district in Maharashtra was duped by a gang of cyber fraudsters who placed him under digital arrest.
Officials said that the suspects posed as police officers and sent the victim multiple forged documents, including fake Mumbai Police FIRs and counterfeit Interpol âRed Corner' notices, to convince him he was under serious investigation, according to the PTI.
The victim was kept under digital surveillance from February 12 to March 7, during which the fraudsters claimed he had sent obscene messages and videos to 40 women and linked his Aadhaar and bank accounts to a high-profile money laundering investigation, the news agency reported.
The fraudsters forced the victim to install a messaging app on his wife's phone to maintain constant audio and video monitoring.
They sent several forged documents, including a bogus bank letter and ATM card photos, to create fear. The victim was told that his bank accounts had to be surrendered to the RBI for verification. Under this pressure, he was coerced into transferring Rs 1,56,45,000 via RTGS into multiple accounts, as per the PTI.
The victim realised he had been scammed and reported the matter to police on Monday. An FIR has been registered under sections 308(2) (extortion), 318 (cheating), 61(2) (criminal conspiracy) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, along with relevant provisions of the Information Technology Act.
While authorities have identified the fraudsters through their aliases, no arrests have been made yet. Police are tracing the money trail to locate the suspects.
Meanwhile, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis had earlier stated that "digital arrest" is not legally tenable and warned citizens to be vigilant. He advised victims to report such cases to helpline 1930 within the critical "golden hour", which can help recover up to 90% of the lost funds.
(with PTI inputs)
