A new case of the prevalent so-called “digital arrest” cyber fraud has emerged in Bengaluru where a 46-year-old warehouse in charge working for a private company lost ₹3.2 lakh after fraudsters impersonating officials of the National Investigation Agency (NIA) threatened him with arrest.
The accused in WhatsApp video calls used a fake arrest warrant to tell the victim he was under investigation and would be taken into custody unless he followed their instructions and transferred money.
The victim was contacted by people who claimed to be senior NIA officials investigating a serious criminal case, the initial information suggests. To make the operation seem genuine on WhatsApp, the fraudsters had fake identity cards, fake legal documents, and a fake arrest warrant. It was a fear-based setup, a real fear and a real panic, so that the victim felt like he was in contact with legitimate law enforcement authorities.
The scammers also said they told the victim his name had emerged in an investigation related to financial crimes and that they would take legal action if he didn’t cooperate. He was told not to discuss the matter with his family members, friends, or colleagues, because that would interfere with the investigation, they told him. Such tactics may be used in digital arrest scams to isolate victims and prevent them from seeking advice.
The warehouse worker, believing the threats, was said to have followed the instructions and transferred ₹3.2 lakh to bank accounts of the fraudsters.
The accused told him that the money was for verification purposes and would be returned after the investigation was complete, but once the payment was made, communication from the alleged officials was erratic and the victim was doubtful.
It occurred only because the victim told his management team of the company MD about the fraud. The MD said the episode was probably a cyber fraud and advised the employee to report it to the police and cybercrime authorities immediately. A complaint was filed and investigators started in search of the culprits.
Police are now examining call records, bank transaction details, WhatsApp communications, and other digital evidence to trace the fraudsters. Investigators are also trying to determine if the accused operated from within India or used international networks and spoofed communication channels to execute the crime.
A high incidence of digital arrest scams (i.e., fraudsters pretending to work with agencies like NIA, CBI, Enforcement Directorate, Customs, Income Tax Department, or local police) is now on the rise.
Victims are frequently falsely accused of money laundering, drug trafficking, parcel scams, or identity theft and are threatened with arrest if they transfer money or reveal sensitive financial information.
These scams are getting more sophisticated as they go along, cybersecurity experts say. Fraudsters often use fake government logos, forged legal notices, fake court orders, official-looking email addresses, or fake video calls to create the illusion of legitimacy. We have seen many people who are afraid to tell us their stories; professionals and senior citizens get scared of them and they give up in the end and don’t check whether it’s true.
Authorities have repeatedly stressed that no real law enforcement agency conducts investigations or arrests through WhatsApp video calls or demands money to avoid legal action. Citizens should remain calm if they receive such calls and verify the identity of anyone claiming to represent a government agency, they said.
Experts recommend never transferring money according to the instructions given in a phone or video call. People should not share Aadhaar details, PAN information, banking credentials, OTPs, or passwords with unknown callers. If a government agency is involved, citizens should contact the government agency directly using official contact details rather than rely on the caller’s information.
Cyber safety awareness is still one of the best defensive measures against such frauds. Experts encourage people to talk about suspicious calls with family members, employers, and trusted friends prior to any financial action. Prompt reporting can also help authorities freeze fraudulent accounts and possibly recover some of the lost money.
With digital financial transactions increasing in volume, cybercriminals are coming to know how to exploit fear and confusion. The Bengaluru incident is just the latest example of the need to be wary, verify each and every claim, and report it immediately to the nearest cybercrime police station or the national cybercrime reporting system.
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