Pimpri-Chinchwad: Nigdi ‘Digital Arrest’ Scam Foiled; Family Prevents ₹12 Lakh Fraud

A case of attempted cyber fraud under the pretext of a “digital arrest” has come to light in the jurisdiction of the Nigdi Police Station under the Pimpri-Chinchwad Police Commissionerate. Cyber criminals tried to deceive a young man living in the area, but the alertness of an elderly family member exposed the scam in time. Due to this timely intervention, a financial loss of nearly ₹12 lakh was successfully prevented. The incident has once again highlighted the rising threat of cyber frauds and the importance of awareness among citizens to identify and avoid such deceptive tactics used by criminals.

According to available information, the incident occurred on Sunday morning around 11 am when the young man received a WhatsApp call from an unknown individual. The caller falsely claimed to be an officer from the Mumbai Police Crime Branch. He informed the victim that a parcel registered in his name had been intercepted and allegedly contained five passports along with MD narcotic substances. The caller used this fabricated story to create panic and pressure the victim, attempting to make the situation appear serious and legally threatening to gain his trust and compliance.

The fraudsters further intimidated the victim by stating that he would have to appear for questioning before senior officials. He was instructed to download the Signal application, after which the interrogation was conducted through a video call. During the call, individuals posing as police officers in uniform claimed that the victim was under “digital arrest” and warned him not to share any details with anyone. The scammers used fear tactics and authority impersonation to isolate the victim mentally and ensure that he remained under their control throughout the process without seeking external help.

Over the course of nearly 27 hours, the accused managed to extract sensitive details from the victim, including his bank account and Aadhaar card information. They also demanded that he deposit money into a bank account to obtain a so-called “clearance certificate.” Under immense pressure and fear, the victim had even prepared to withdraw ₹12 lakh from his mutual fund investments. However, before the transaction could be completed, an elderly member of his family intervened and recognized the situation as a cyber fraud attempt, thereby preventing a major financial loss.

The Pimpri-Chinchwad Police Commissioner Vinaykumar Choubey stated that an awareness campaign about cyber crimes is being actively conducted among senior citizens and housing societies. It was due to this initiative that the elderly family member was able to identify the fraudulent activity and immediately alert the police. The campaign has been instrumental in educating citizens about modern cyber threats, enabling them to respond promptly and prevent such crimes. Authorities believe that increased awareness is one of the most effective tools in combating the growing menace of cyber fraud.

Police have urged citizens to remain cautious and not fall for such scams. They clarified that there is no concept called “digital arrest,” and no police officer conducts arrests through video calls. People are advised not to panic if they receive such calls or messages and to immediately contact their nearest police station or cyber cell. In case of any cyber fraud, complaints can be registered on the national helpline number 1930. Authorities continue to stress vigilance, awareness, and prompt reporting as key measures to stay protected from cyber criminals.