A 61-year-old man from Mangaluru, Karnataka, allegedly lost over ₹2.07 crore after falling victim to a cyber fraud that began with a phone call warning him about misuse of his SIM card. Fraudsters impersonating officials from central agencies such as the NIA and ED allegedly convinced him that he was under investigation in a serious criminal case.
Over several days, under intense psychological pressure, he transferred large sums of money to multiple bank accounts provided by the scammers. Police have registered a case and are investigating the digital trail, while warning the public about such “digital arrest” scams.
SIM Misuse Call Escalates Into High-Value Cyber Fraud
A 61-year-old man from Mangaluru was allegedly cheated out of more than ₹2.07 crore after receiving a phone call claiming that his SIM card had been misused for illegal activities. The caller reportedly told him that his identity was linked to multiple criminal cases and that central investigative agencies were preparing action against him. What began as a routine-sounding telecom alert quickly escalated into an elaborate fraud.
According to police, the scammers impersonated officials from central enforcement agencies, including the National Investigation Agency and Enforcement Directorate. They allegedly maintained constant contact with the victim, reinforcing the fear that he was under serious investigation. The victim was made to believe that he needed to cooperate immediately to avoid arrest and legal consequences.
How “Digital Arrest” Scams Trap Victims
Investigators say the fraud followed a pattern commonly seen in “digital arrest” scams, where criminals use fear and authority impersonation to control victims. In such cases, fraudsters claim that the victim is under surveillance or investigation and instruct them not to speak to anyone else while the so-called verification process is ongoing.
The victim was allegedly pressured into transferring money in multiple instalments over several days. The fraudsters provided different bank account details for each transaction, making it harder to trace the funds. By the time the deception was uncovered, more than ₹2.07 crore had already been siphoned off. Police have registered a case at the Mangaluru City CEN station and are tracking the flow of money.
Trend Of Impersonation-Based Cyber Frauds
Cybercrime officials have noted a sharp rise in scams where criminals impersonate law enforcement agencies, regulatory bodies or banking officials. These frauds rely not on hacking systems, but on manipulating victims psychologically into believing they are in legal trouble. In many cases, forged documents, fake arrest warrants and video calls are used to increase credibility.
Authorities say such scams are becoming more sophisticated, with organised networks operating across states and frequently changing accounts and communication channels. Recovery of funds is often difficult once the money is layered through multiple transfers. Officials continue to urge the public to remain cautious and verify any such claims independently.
The Logical Indian’s Perspective
This case is a reminder that fear is increasingly being used as a weapon in the digital age. Cybercriminals are no longer just exploiting technical loopholes, they are exploiting trust, confusion and lack of awareness about legal processes. It is important to reiterate that no legitimate agency will ever threaten arrest or demand money, OTPs or confidential verification over a phone call. Citizens must be empowered with simple but clear digital safety habits, including verifying claims directly through official channels and immediately disconnecting suspicious calls.
At the same time, there is a need for stronger systemic safeguards from telecom providers, banks and enforcement agencies to detect and prevent such scams early. Public awareness campaigns must also be scaled up so that people across all age groups can recognise these tactics before it is too late. As digital dependence grows, how can we ensure that awareness and protection grow just as quickly, so that fear never becomes a tool for financial exploitation again?
A 61-year-old man was duped of Rs 2.07 crore by fraudsters who kept him under digital arrest while impersonating officials from the National Investigation Agency (NIA) and Enforcement Directorate (ED)https://t.co/9WDTTEVVvQ
— TNIE Karnataka (@XpressBengaluru) April 26, 2026
