A 75 year old retired BMC official from Andheri, Mumbai, was reportedly defrauded of Rs 16.50 lakh on 22 January 2026, in a sophisticated “digital arrest” scam.
The victim was contacted by fraudsters posing as officers from the Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) and the National Investigation Agency (NIA), who falsely claimed his name had surfaced in a probe regarding a November 2025 Red Fort bomb blast in Delhi and money laundering.
Under the guise of a virtual interrogation, he was kept under constant video surveillance and coerced into transferring his savings for “verification.” Mumbai’s West Region Cyber Police have registered an FIR and are tracking the money trail, while officials reiterate that no government agency conducts arrests via video call.
Fear Tactics
The incident began when the retired official received a call alleging that his Aadhaar details had been misused for terror funding. To legitimise the threat, the scammers initiated a WhatsApp video call where they appeared in police uniforms against a backdrop featuring official logos.
This case adds to a worrying spike in cybercrime targeting retirees in Mumbai; police data from January 2026 indicates that over 120 “digital arrest” cases have already been recorded this year, with collective losses exceeding Rs 100 crore.
These syndicates specifically exploit the victim’s respect for law enforcement and fear of national security charges to bypass traditional security checks.
Virtual Confinement
The victim was placed under “virtual arrest,” a tactic where scammers force individuals to stay on a video call for hours to prevent them from contacting family or authorities. The fraudsters threatened him with immediate imprisonment in Delhi unless he deposited Rs 16.50 lakh into various “government verification” accounts.
Petrified, the man made the transfers, only to realise he was duped when the scammers disconnected and deleted their messages.
Mumbai Police officials have warned that such “funds verification” is never a part of legal procedure and have urged citizens to immediately report suspicious calls to the National Cyber Crime Helpline at 1930.
How to Stay Safe from Scams
- Verify Official Communication: No government agency arrests citizens via phone or video call. Always cross-check by contacting official numbers.
- Do Not Share Personal Information: Avoid giving bank details, OTPs, passwords, or scanned documents to unknown callers.
- Stay Skeptical of Threats: Scammers often create fear by claiming involvement in criminal cases; remain calm and verify independently.
- Report Immediately: If approached by fraudsters, inform local police or cybercrime authorities and register a complaint.
- Educate Friends and Family: Spread awareness, especially among elderly relatives, to prevent them from falling victim to similar scams.
The Logical Indian’s Perspective
It is deeply distressing to see a life’s worth of honest earnings snatched away through the exploitation of fear and national pride. When criminals use the names of elite agencies like the NIA to terrorise elderly citizens, they strike at the very heart of public trust.
At The Logical Indian, we believe that digital progress must be matched by a robust support system for our elders, who are often the most vulnerable in this changing landscape. We urge our readers to act as the first line of defence for their families, ensuring that no senior citizen feels they must face such intimidating threats alone.
