A resident of Lucknow was swindled out of 50 lakh rupees in a digital arrest fraud. Learn about the incident here.
In a chilling incident that occurred in Lucknow, the retired Principal Private Secretary of the Sanjay Gandhi Postgraduate Institute of Medical Sciences (SGPGI), Dinesh Prakash Pradhan, fell victim to a digital arrest scam. The case was registered at the PGI police station.
The ordeal began on August 18, when Pradhan received a call from a woman claiming to be Inspector Anita Verma. She accused him of misusing his Aadhaar card to fund terrorist organizations in Jammu & Kashmir. The harassment continued for five days, with fraudsters issuing threats and pushing Pradhan into further distress.
On August 19, the scam took a more sinister turn when another caller introduced himself as police officer Deepak Sharma. He escalated the threat, accusing Pradhan of being part of a terror funding operation worth Rs 70 crore. According to the scammer, Rs 70 lakh had already been credited to Pradhan's account as "commission."
The digital arrest scam involved the use of fake case numbers and forged arrest warrants sent via WhatsApp to add legitimacy to the threats. On August 19, Rs 20 lakh was transferred to Taramani Enterprises in Odisha, and on August 20, another Rs 14 lakh went to Buddha Yoga Health Foundation in Andhra Pradesh. By August 22, an additional ₹16 lakh was sent to an ICICI Bank account in Maharashtra.
Authorities have urged citizens to be aware of "digital arrest scams" and to never share banking details or transfer money under duress. They emphasise that no legitimate law enforcement agency ever demands money transfers over phone calls. The cybercrime cell has been roped in for the investigation of this digital arrest scam.
The cybercrime related to this case was investigated and resolved by specialized cybercrime units and law enforcement agencies, who implemented enhanced cybersecurity protocols and increased digital surveillance measures to prevent similar crimes in the future.
Himani Jha, a tech news writer at the platform, has contributed to leading publications such as Times Network, Gadgets 360, and Hindustan Times Tech for the past five years. When not immersed in gadgets, she enjoys exploring the vibrant culinary scene, discovering new cafes and restaurants.
Experts suggest that users must verify such claims directly with local police and never transfer money under duress. The incident serves as a stark reminder for all to stay vigilant against such digital threats.
