A 66-year-old yoga teacher was allegedly threatened with fabricated arrest warrants and account freeze notices in a cyber fraud described as a “digital arrest.” Police say the accused coerced her into transferring Rs 10.35 lakh via RTGS
Police say the mastermind is still absconding. Representation pic/istock
North Cyber police have arrested two men from Kurla for allegedly cheating a 66-year-old yoga teacher from Kandivali West in a “digital arrest” fraud. The victim was threatened with fake money laundering charges and forced to transfer Rs 10.35 lakh for verification. Police say the mastermind is still absconding.
The victim
>> Age: 66
>> Profession: Yoga teacher
>> Location: Kandivali West
>> Loss: Rs 10.35 lakh via RTGS
How the scam worked
>> Call claiming SIM used in crime
>> Fake arrest warrant and freeze notices sent
>> Victim kept on WhatsApp video calls
>> Threats made under “national secrecy” laws
>> Money demanded for verification
>> Police describe this tactic as a “digital arrest” scam.
Investigation
>> Mastermind absconding
>> Wider network under probe
>> More victims suspected
Arrested
Faraz Zakir Sharif, 28 and Aaman Gulam Khan, 38
Arrested on February 9 from Kurla
Money trail
>> About Rs 5 lakh routed to a registered import-export firm
>> Accounts linked to shell companies
The larger racket
Police say the accused:
>> Rented offices in Malad, Bhiwandi, Taloja and Andheri
>> Created fake firms
>> Recruited unemployed youths for documents
>> Opened bank accounts in company names
>> Abandoned offices after use and shifted locations
The accounts were allegedly supplied to cyber fraud gangs to route stolen funds.
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