A 32-year-old man from Karol Bagh, Delhi, was recently defrauded of more than ₹9 lakh by cybercriminals impersonating senior officers from the Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS). The scammers falsely accused him of links to the 2019 Pulwama terror attack and coerced him into transferring money under the threat of arrest.
Delhi Police have registered a case under Section 318(4) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and are investigating. Such “digital arrest” scams are increasingly common, exploiting fear and misinformation to extort funds from victims.
Impersonation and Intimidation
The victim was contacted in August by unknown numbers claiming ₹50 lakh had been deposited in a bank account opened in his name in Kashmir. The callers, impersonating ATS officials, warned him to keep silent, citing involvement of “influential persons.”
They connected him to a man posing as the ATS chief who pressured him to transfer ₹8.9 lakh via RTGS and ₹77,000 via UPI for “fund legalisation.” After the victim refused to pay an additional ₹4 lakh requested through a forged bail document, the scammers cut contact. The perpetrators isolated and intimidated the victim, using psychological manipulation to force compliance.
Rising Cyber Extortion Cases
Delhi has witnessed cyber fraud losses nearing ₹1,000 crore in 2025 alone, with many victims falling prey to scams involving fake “digital arrests.” Similar cases, including one targeting a 78-year-old retired banker who lost ₹23 crore, highlight the growing scale.
Law enforcement agencies and the Supreme Court have stressed stricter action and collaboration to combat this menace. Citizens are urged to remain cautious about unsolicited calls, protect personal information, and report suspicious activities immediately
Consumer Protection and Banking Safeguards
Experts emphasise the importance of digital literacy and proactive consumer protection measures. The Reserve Bank of India’s (RBI) zero liability principle protects customers from unauthorised electronic banking transactions if fraud is promptly reported, shifting the burden of proof to banks to demonstrate customer negligence.
Banks are increasingly deploying advanced fraud detection technologies, such as the Fraud Risk Intelligence (FRI) platform, which enables real-time monitoring and alerts for suspicious transactions. Consumers are advised to never share OTPs or passwords, verify caller identities through official channels, and immediately inform banks and police upon detecting fraud attempts.
Legal and Regulatory Frameworks
The Consumer Protection Act, 2019, alongside the IT Act and banking regulations, provides legal recourse against digital fraud. However, the rapid evolution of cybercrimes presents ongoing challenges in enforcement and consumer education.
Regulatory bodies continue to update frameworks to better address complexities posed by digital markets, while encouraging dispute resolution and swift intervention to safeguard consumer rights in a digital economy.
The Logical Indian’s Perspective
This case highlights how fear and misinformation are weaponised to exploit citizens’ vulnerabilities. The Logical Indian calls for sustained efforts in promoting cyber awareness, strengthening institutional capabilities, and supporting victims with empathy and justice.
Building community resilience through education and vigilance, coupled with robust regulatory support, is vital to countering cyber fraud and restoring trust in digital interactions. How can individuals and communities better equip themselves to prevent falling victim to such sophisticated cyber scams? Your insights can help foster positive social change.
