'Digital arrest' horror: Cyber fraudsters dupe senior citizen of Rs 1.5 crore in Bhubaneswar

In a shocking cybercrime case, a senior citizen from Bhubaneswar was duped of Rs 1.5 crore by online fraudsters and reportedly kept on digital arrest for 10 days.

According to authorities, the victim was trapped by cybercriminals who impersonated officials from the Customs Department, claiming that his money was allegedly involved in a money-laundering investigation. Intimidated by the threats, the senior citizen complied with their demands.

The cybercriminals reportedly kept the victim under digital arrest for ten days, orchestrating transfers in two phases that drained Rs 1.5 crore from his accounts. 

Following a complaint, the Cybercrime Police intervened and managed to freeze Rs 12 lakh of the defrauded amount.

The fraudsters reportedly dupe the senior citizen to the tune of Rs 70 lakh in the first phase, then he reportedly lose another Rs 80 lakh to them.

Authorities have urged citizens, especially senior citizens, to be cautious of unsolicited calls or messages from unknown individuals claiming to be government officials. They advised verifying such communications through official channels and not sharing banking or personal information online.

This incident highlights the growing menace of cyber fraud in the city and underlines the urgent need for public awareness to prevent such financial crimes.

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No comments from officials of the Cyber Police Station could be obtained over the matter.