Ahilyanagar paediatrician loses over Rs 7 crore in digital arrest fraud

Nashik: Doctors are increasingly becoming targets for cybercriminals, with a recent incident reported where a 75-year-old senior paediatrician from Maharashtra's Ahilyanagar lost over Rs 7 crore after falling victim to a "digital arrest" scam.

The doctor was alone at home when the fraudsters video-called him, claiming that police officers were outside to arrest him. They accused him of being involved in illegal advertising, obscenity, and harassment. They even sent him fake documents purportedly issued by the Supreme Court, Enforcement Directorate (ED), and police officials to pressure him into transferring the money.

Following the doctor's complaint, the Ahilyanagar cyber police registered a case under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and the Information Technology (IT) Act on Monday.

Also read- Unfortunate: 76-year-old doctor dies of heart attack after 3-day digital arrest

The incident took place between October 7 and October 10, during which the doctor reportedly received multiple WhatsApp video calls from unknown numbers. In one of the calls, the fraudsters claimed to be police officials and accused the doctor of being involved in cases related to illegal advertising, obscenity, and harassment.

Pretending to be senior officers and even a judge, they told the doctor he was under a “digital arrest” and would be under surveillance until the investigation was over. "You are under house arrest, and we are monitoring your every move. Your account contains black money. You could be arrested, and your children's future will be ruined," they threatened, reports NDTV.

To appear genuine and gain the doctor's trust, the fraudsters sent forged documents, including notices and IDs in the names of the Supreme Court and central investigating agencies.

Insector Moreshwar Pendam told TOI, "The cheating incident occurred when the doctor was alone at home, as his wife was away at his son's place. The conmen made a video call to the doctor, stating they were speaking from a judicial court. They made false allegations against the doctor and said that police personnel were just outside his house to arrest him. In a bid to settle the matter and save himself from the disgrace he would suffer in society, the fraudsters asked him to pay over Rs 10 crore."

Frightened by the threats, the doctor ended up transferring a total of Rs 7.17 crore to several bank accounts provided by the fraudsters.

"On Oct 10, when he went to his bank to deposit around Rs 3 crore through RTGS, the bank's server was down, and the money could not be transferred. When the bank manager enquired about the reason for sending such a large amount, the doctor told him about the video call. The bank manager told the doctor that it was a fraud, and he should promptly approach the police," said Inspector Pendam.

Subsequently, the doctor approached the Cyber Police Station and lodged a complaint.

The inspector said, "The doctor had already paid Rs 7.2 lakh, but his Rs 3 crore was saved when alerted by the bank manager. He has been investing in the stock market since 1985 and never touched his investments or the profit earned from them. Over the years, he had accumulated over Rs 10 crore."

The Cyber Crime Branch is now investigating and tracking the numbers and accounts used by the accused.

Also read- Elderly doctor conned out of Rs 8 crore in digital arrest scam