Digital Arrest Scam Strikes Punjab: Mohali Woman Loses Rs. 80 Lakhs to Cyber Crooks

Chandigarh (The Uttam Hindu): In a shocking case of cyber fraud, 68-year-old Harbhajan Kaur, a retired senior citizen from Mohali, fell victim to a sophisticated scam, losing Rs. 80 lakhs over four days. The incident began on December 9, 2024, when Kaur, who lives alone while her children are abroad, received a distressing call from a woman posing as a representative of the Mumbai Cyber Crime Branch. The caller informed her that her Aadhaar Card was linked to a mobile number involved in money laundering and that an FIR had been filed against her, with non-bailable warrants issued. The caller threatened to block her phone, which left Kaur in a panic. When she called back the number for clarification, she became further entangled in the fraudsters’ plot.

The scammers escalated their manipulation by introducing other fake officials, including someone pretending to be from the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI), alleging that her phone number had been involved in illegal activities. They falsely implicated her in a money laundering case involving Jet Airways founder Naresh Goyal and threatened her with CBI raids and arrest unless she acted immediately to clear her name. The fraud reached its peak when Kaur received a WhatsApp call from an individual impersonating the Director of the CBI, who convinced her that she needed to deposit money to obtain a “No Objection Certificate” (NOC) from the Supreme Court.

Under intense pressure, Harbhajan Kaur transferred money in several installments over the course of three days: Rs. 25 lakhs on December 10 to an Indian Bank account, Rs. 30 lakhs on December 11 to the same account, and an additional Rs. 25 lakhs to an IDFC First Bank account. It was only after transferring a total of Rs. 80 lakhs that Kaur realized she had been scammed. On December 12, 2024, she filed a complaint with the Mohali Cyber Crime Wing, and with swift action by the police, Rs. 40 lakhs have been recovered so far. Authorities are continuing their efforts to recover the remaining amount and identify the culprits behind the scam.

This incident highlights the growing threat of cybercrime, particularly targeting elderly and vulnerable individuals. Scammers are using increasingly sophisticated methods to manipulate victims, such as impersonating officials and creating false urgency. The authorities have urged the public to remain vigilant and report any suspicious calls or messages. To avoid falling prey to such scams, experts recommend verifying calls from unknown numbers, never sharing personal or financial information over the phone, and consulting trusted authorities before making any financial transactions. Victims of cyber fraud are advised to report the incident to their nearest cybercrime cell immediately to initiate prompt investigations.