TV
Police arrested two fraudsters in connection with the alleged digital arrest of Berhampur University Vice-Chancellor Professor Geetanjali Dash. The VC was duped of around Rs 14 lakh by the cyber criminals, SP Dr. Saravana Vivek M said in a presser on Saturday.
Also Read: Berhampur University VC falls prey to ‘digital arrest’ fraud, loses Rs 14 lakh
According to the police sources, the two were nabbed from Gujarat and a detailed probe is underway, marking a crucial breakthrough. With a probe team scrutinising the alleged scam’s depths and the involvement of any cartel in the crime, questions abound regarding the modus operandi by which the substantial sum was misappropriated.
Worth mentioning, the cybercriminals had told the VC over mobile phone that they were the officials of the Enforcement Directorate (ED) and a case was running against her in the Supreme Court. They had threatened Dash by saying she was under digital arrest for four days.
Later, the fraudsters had demanded Rs 14 lakh from her and she gave them the amount. After duping the money, mobile phones of the fraudsters were found ‘switched off’.
Subsequently, the VC realised that she had been cheated and lodged an FIR in this regard with the Berhampur cyber police. A probe into the incident was launched.
“The fraudsters have looted Rs 14 lakh from Mrs. Dash through digital arrest. Based on her complaint, a detailed investigation into the high-value cybercrime has been launched. We have already launched a manhunt and the accused persons will be nabbed soon,” the Berhampur SP had previously expressed while speaking to mediapersons.
What is digital arrest?
Digital arrests usually refer to a type of sophisticated cyber fraud where the cybercriminals impersonate law enforcement officials or other authorities. The targets of these fraudsters are often randomly contacted on instant messaging apps like WhatsApp and are informed that their bank accounts, digital identities, or other online assets have been compromised.
Criminals play on the victims’ fear psychosis by threatening them with imminent arrest, legal consequences, or public humiliation if they don’t cooperate with financial demands.
Fraudsters behind such digital arrests are masters of psychological manipulation. They understand that fear and urgency are powerful motivators that can cloud judgment and lead people to act against their best interests.
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By creating a fabricated sense of crisis, they pressurise the targeted persons into making hasty decisions without the chance for rational thought or verification, subsequently leading to huge financial losses.
