Digital Custody Scam: Mumbai Woman Duped of Rs 33.5 Lakh by Fraudsters Posing as CBI Officials

A 49-year-old woman from Andheri fell prey to a complex cyber fraud and lost Rs 33.5 lakh after being duped by scammers impersonating police and CBI personnel. The scammers falsely accused her of involvement in a money laundering case and offered her an odd choice: spend three months in police jail or opt for 'digital detention' for seven days while the inquiry was underway.

To make the scam appear official, the crooks required her to submit an online application demanding 'digital custody,' which was then 'approved' by the fictitious police. Unaware of the fraud, the woman followed their directions and eventually transferred her life savings into what she thought was a 'Secret Supervision Account' under CBI supervision.

According to a Times of India report, the scam occurred between December 2 and December 31 last year and was only discovered when she submitted a complaint on February 25. Police believe this is the first case in Mumbai in which scammers used the concept of 'digital custody' to capture a victim.

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The incident began when the woman received a call from someone purporting to be from the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI). She was told that her mobile number would be disconnected within two hours because it had been used to send fraudulent and threatening messages.

When she denied any involvement, another individual, identified as Sunilkumar Gautam from Delhi's cybercrime department, informed her that an FIR had been filed against her. He stated that her Aadhaar information was exploited to register various bank accounts for unlawful operations.

Soon later, a third person, masquerading as IPS officer Rajeshwar Pradhan, video called her. She trusted him because he wore a police uniform. Pradhan informed her that her account was linked to money laundering activities and that she would be arrested and held in police custody for 90 days. However, he proposed an alternative: seven days of 'digital custody' instead.

She trusted him and submitted an application for digital custody, which Pradhan promptly 'approved.' She was then told to check in via WhatsApp call every hour. To persuade her further, the crooks sent her forged documents with CBI and Delhi Police seals. Pradhan then instructed her to send her monies to a 'Secret Supervision Account,' stating that they would be reimbursed once verified.

When Pradhan stopped answering her phone calls on December 31, she felt she had been duped. The police are currently examining the situation. Further information about the probe is awaited.