In a disturbing cybercrime episode from Pune, cybercriminals forged the signature of Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on a fabricated arrest warrant to deceive a 62-year-old retired LIC officer.
The fraud, part of a growing trend of “digital arrest” scams, saw the victim duped into transferring nearly Rs 99 lakh to fake Reserve Bank of India (RBI) accounts controlled by a cybercrime network based in Thane.
This case highlights how scammers manipulate public trust by mimicking government officials and using forged documents to extract large sums from vulnerable citizens.
The Scam’s Modus Operandi
According to the Pune City Cyber Police, as quoted by India Today, the victim was first contacted in late October by a man claiming to represent a “Data Protection Agency,” alleging misuse of her Aadhaar-linked mobile number in fraud cases. She was then connected to a fraudster impersonating a senior police officer named George Mathew.
During a video call, the impersonator accused her of money laundering and warned her that her bank accounts would be frozen. To lend credibility, the scammers sent her a fake arrest warrant featuring the forged signature of Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman along with an official government seal.
The woman was told that due to her age, she would be placed under “digital arrest,” meaning remote monitoring, and instructed to transfer all her funds to RBI accounts for verification. Believing the elaborate ruse, she transferred Rs 99 lakh to multiple mule accounts. The criminals further reinforced the deception by sending fake receipts purported to be from the Enforcement Directorate. When the victim attempted to follow up, the scammers vanished, and she soon realised she had been defrauded.
Widening Threat of Digital Arrest
This incident is part of a broader pattern of cyber fraud exploiting the fear of legal action and government authority. Digital arrest scams have surged nationally, with Maharashtra Police recently arresting seven individuals tied to a Rs 58 crore scam using similar tactics. These fraudsters often manipulate victims by falsely invoking agencies like the Enforcement Directorate, the Data Protection Board of India, and the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India.
The fraudsters’ sophisticated network uses thousands of fake bank accounts and even cryptocurrency to launder stolen money. Elderly and financially secure citizens, including retired professionals, are frequent targets. Despite government awareness efforts, the rise of such scams points to the urgent need for enhanced digital literacy and improved law enforcement response.
How to Stay Safe from Digital Arrest Scams
To protect yourself from digital arrest scams, remain calm and never share sensitive information like passwords, OTPs, or bank details over the phone. Always verify suspicious calls independently through official government websites or helplines. Do not transfer money or provide remote access to your devices under pressure.
Educate family members, especially elders, about such scams and encourage them to report any suspicious activity immediately to the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal. Regularly monitor your bank accounts and enable transaction alerts to quickly identify any unauthorized activity. Awareness and prompt verification are your best defenses against these scams.
The Logical Indian’s Perspective
The forgery of a high-profile minister’s signature underlines how cybercriminals exploit public trust to perpetrate their scams. While law enforcement intensifies efforts to crack down on such sophisticated syndicates, citizens too must be vigilant and informed.
Empathy and education, especially for elders and vulnerable groups, can foster resilience against such manipulative cyber tactics.
