Doctor kept under Digital Arrest for 22 hours by Cyber Fraudsters

Gadag: A private doctor from Mulagund town in Karnataka’s Gadag district fell victim to a cyber fraud and was subjected to 22 hours of psychological captivity in a 'digital arrest' scam, orchestrated by cyber fraudsters posing as officials from a national investigative agency. 

The incident took place on June 11 when Dr. S.C. Chavadi received a video call at 3:07 PM from individuals claiming to represent the "National Investigation Authority of India." The imposters accused Dr. Chavadi of involvement in a large-scale money laundering case allegedly linked to a Canara Bank account and informed him that a criminal case had been registered against him at the Kaloba Police Station in Mumbai.

Though Dr. Chavadi had no links to Canara Bank, the fraudsters insisted an arrest warrant had already been issued. They directed him to collect and share details of all his financial and property-related documents, warning that he was under active investigation. To increase the pressure and legitimacy of their claims, the impersonators showed Dr. Chavadi the name and photograph of a local police officer from Mulagund.

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Police have described the incident as a "digital arrest" — a new and deeply invasive tactic where victims are isolated via continuous digital communication. According to the news reports, the doctor was placed under intense psychological pressure through nearly 22 hours of continuous video calls. The ordeal began when one individual, claiming to be Inspector Vijaykumar, justified the remote questioning, citing the doctor’s age and cautioned him to keep the matter secret, warning that dangerous criminals led by a man named Naresh Goyal were allegedly monitoring him and could be near his residence.

The interrogation resumed the next day around noon, with another impersonator claiming to be DCP Dayanayak. This individual threatened the doctor with Supreme Court proceedings and advised him to arrange legal representation.

The ordeal ended only when locals, sensing something was wrong, alerted the police and rushed to Dr. Chavadi’s residence. Upon their arrival, they attempted to force open the door, prompting Dr. Chavadi to unlock it. As soon as a local police officer, CPI Sangamesh Shivayogi, began speaking over video call, the fraudsters abruptly terminated the call and vanished, reports Vartha Bharati.

A formal complaint has since been registered at the Gadag Cyber Crime Police Station, and an investigation is underway to trace the culprits.

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Speaking to Vartha Bharati, CPI Shivayogi urged citizens not to fall prey to such digital arrests, which are emerging as a new form of cyber intimidation. “People must remain calm and report any suspicious digital communication to the nearest police station immediately. Never share personal information or documents over video calls from unknown sources,” he said.