Digital Arrest Fraud: Rs 53 Lakh Stolen in Pune as Victim Falls for Cybercrime Scam

A 47-year-old general manager at an automobile company lost Rs 53 lakh to cybercrooks in a digital arrest fraud between April 2 and 11. The victim, a resident of Moshi, lodged a complaint with the Pimpri Chinchwad cybercrime police on Saturday. The cybercrime police team, led by senior inspector Ravikiran Nale, detained two mule bank account holders from Ahilyanagar district.

The victim received a message on April 2 stating that his bank account was used for money laundering and a case was registered against him. He contacted the number mentioned in the message, and a person claimed to be an officer from the Mumbai crime branch. The victim was assured that his bank account was being verified and that he needed to transfer money to the Reserve Bank of India for verification. Believing them, the victim transferred Rs 53 lakh to three bank account numbers on April 2. After getting the money, the crooks were in contact with him through a video call, telling him that the verification was ongoing and not to disclose this to anyone.

However, when the "police officer" and the "bank officer" stopped responding to his calls, the victim realised that he was duped. He then filed an online complaint. The investigations revealed that the money was transferred to the three private bank accounts in Pune and then rerouted to a few more bank accounts. "Our investigations are ongoing," said an officer from the Pimpri Chinchwad cybercrime police.

Key Takeaways:

• The victim, a 47-year-old general manager at an automobile company, lost Rs 53 lakh to cybercrooks in a digital arrest fraud.
• The victim received a message on April 2 stating that his bank account was used for money laundering and a case was registered against him.
• The cybercrooks tricked the victim into transferring Rs 53 lakh to three bank account numbers, claiming it was for verification by the Reserve Bank of India.
• The money was then rerouted to a few more bank accounts, and investigations are ongoing to track the flow of funds.
• Two mule bank account holders from Ahilyanagar district were detained by the cybercrime police team led by senior inspector Ravikiran Nale.
• The victim lodged a complaint with the Pimpri Chinchwad cybercrime police, and the case is being investigated.

Statistics:

• Rs 53 lakh was stolen from the victim in the digital arrest fraud.
• The money was transferred to three bank account numbers in Pune.
• The cybercrooks were in contact with the victim through video calls, assuring him that the verification was ongoing.
• The victim realised he was duped when the "police officer" and the "bank officer" stopped responding to his calls.
• The investigations are ongoing to track the flow of funds.

Sources:

• TOI (The Times of India)
• Pimpri Chinchwad cybercrime police