In a shocking cyber fraud reported in early January 2026, 73-year-old retired Finance Department officer Amarjeet Singh from Lucknow’s LDA Colony Sector-G lost nearly Rs 90 lakh after fraudsters held him in a 25-day “digital arrest,” posing as Mumbai Cyber Crime Cell officials and threatening him with a money laundering case and arrest warrants.
His son Amarpreet Singh in Bengaluru noticed his distress on December 25, prompting a police complaint; Lucknow Cyber Police, led by Inspector Brajesh Kumar Yadav, have frozen Rs 15 lakh in suspect accounts across states like Odisha, West Bengal, and Jharkhand, with investigations ongoing and no arrests yet.
Fraudsters Impersonate Cyber Officials
The ordeal began in mid-December when scammers contacted Singh via video calls, convincingly posing as officers from the Mumbai Cyber Crime Cell.
They claimed a serious case had been registered against him at a Mumbai cyber police station, complete with fabricated arrest warrants shared via WhatsApp, accusing him of involvement in a money laundering racket.
The fraudsters escalated their intimidation by warning that failure to cooperate would lead to immediate arrest and jail time not just for Singh, but potentially his entire family, exploiting his lifelong reputation as a diligent public servant.
“The fraudsters told him he would have to transfer Rs 1 crore for investigation purposes, which would supposedly be returned later,” said Inspector Brajesh Kumar Yadav of Lucknow Cyber Police. “Under fear, the retired officer transferred about Rs 90 lakh through UPI, RTGS and by breaking fixed deposits into multiple accounts.”
Terrified and isolated, Singh remained glued to his screens for 25 days, following their every instruction under constant virtual surveillance, a tactic designed to break his will and extract funds ruthlessly.
Son Uncovers the Deception
The nightmare persisted until December 25, when Singh’s son, Amarpreet Singh, working in Bengaluru, grew suspicious during a routine video call. Noticing his father’s uncharacteristic anxiety, pallor, and reluctance to speak freely, Amarpreet probed gently, uncovering the shocking truth of the “digital arrest.”
He immediately advised his father to disconnect and rushed to file a complaint with Lucknow Cyber Police, who swung into action. Investigations revealed the money trail leading to multiple bank accounts scattered across states including Odisha, West Bengal, and Jharkhand, with Rs 15 lakh already frozen as police coordinate with banks and interstate agencies.
This case mirrors a disturbing national trend where “digital arrest” scams have defrauded Indians of crores, often targeting elderly retirees who live alone and value their hard-earned savings from decades of service.
Lucknow police have issued public advisories, emphasising that genuine agencies never demand payments over phone or video for “clearing names,” and urged citizens to hang up suspicious calls immediately.
Surge in Digital Arrest Scams
Cyber frauds like this have exploded across India in recent years, with “digital arrest” emerging as a particularly sinister variant since 2023. Reports indicate thousands of cases annually, claiming over Rs 1,000 crore in losses, preying on fears of legal trouble amid rising awareness of money laundering laws like those under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).
In similar incidents, scammers have impersonated officials from the Enforcement Directorate (ED), Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), or cyber cells, using deepfake videos, forged documents, and relentless pressure to mimic authenticity.
Following Singh’s complaint, police uncovered links to organised networks possibly operating from abroad, layering funds through mule accounts to evade tracking. This scam’s success hinges on psychological manipulation isolation, urgency, and threats leaving victims too ashamed or scared to seek help promptly.
Nationally, cyber cells in Delhi, Mumbai, and Bengaluru have ramped up awareness drives, but challenges persist due to the borderless nature of online crime and victims’ reluctance to report.
Expert Safety Advice
Cybersecurity experts strongly recommend proactive measures to combat such scams. Dr. Ritesh Shukla, a former Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C) advisor, advises: “Never respond to unsolicited calls claiming legal action; genuine agencies do not demand money or personal details over phone.”
Verify by contacting official helplines like the national cyber crime portal (cybercrime.gov.in) or dialling 1930 independently. Tech expert Neha Mishra from CERT-In suggests enabling two-factor authentication on banking apps, avoiding screen-sharing during calls, and using call-blocking apps for unknown numbers.
Financial planner Rajiv Gupta urges seniors to discuss finances regularly with family and set transaction limits on accounts. For early detection, install anti-malware software and report suspicious activity immediately time is critical in freezing funds. Community workshops and family pacts for digital check-ins can build resilience, turning vulnerability into collective strength.
The Logical Indian’s Perspective
At The Logical Indian, we view this tragedy not just as a theft of Rs 90 lakh, but an assault on human dignity, trust, and the peace of mind that every elder deserves after years of honest toil. We champion empathy for victims like Amarjeet Singh, whose story underscores the need for kinder, more vigilant societies where dialogue replaces deceit and harmony prevails over harm.
True coexistence demands systemic change stricter cyber laws, nationwide awareness campaigns in local languages, mandatory bank alerts for large transfers, and tech firms’ accountability in curbing deepfakes while fostering community bonds that protect the vulnerable.
