Hyderabad govt employee scammed of Rs. 84 lakhs in digital arrest fraud
Hyderabad: A 57-year-old female government employee from Hyderabad was duped of ₹84 lakhs in a cyber fraud involving fake claims of money laundering, digital arrest, and impersonation of law enforcement officials.
The ordeal began on March 4, 2025, when the victim received a phone call from a person claiming to be an employee of the Telephone Department, using the ID OD62813. The caller alleged that a complaint had been filed against her (Complaint No. MH8817/0225, dated January 25, 2025), accusing her of using mobile number 6135749453 for illegal activities. She was then asked to contact the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI).
Soon after, she was connected to individuals posing as officials from the Mumbai Cyber Crime Department. One person, who appeared on a video call, introduced himself as an investigating officer and falsely informed her that she was implicated in a money laundering case involving a popular criminal, Naresh Goel.
Claiming the matter was confidential and linked to national security, the scammers instructed the victim to avoid discussing the case with anyone, including her family. Over the following weeks, the fraudsters continued their deception through multiple WhatsApp video calls.
On April 8, a person claiming to be the Chief of Investigation told the victim that the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) would verify the legality of her funds. She was warned that sleeper cells might try to threaten her, and that her phone was under surveillance.
On April 11, she received another video call, this time from someone pretending to be from the Surveillance Office. She was introduced to a person posing as a defense lawyer and told that she was being virtually presented before the Supreme Court. Claiming that she had been exempted from appearing in person due to her husband’s ill health, the scammers sent her a fake temporary bail order and a surety bond of ₹30 lakh via WhatsApp.
Under sustained pressure and misled by fake judicial proceedings, the victim withdrew her fixed deposits, pledged gold, took personal loans, and transferred a total of ₹84 lakh to bank accounts provided by the fraudsters.
On May 6, she was told that the case would soon be closed and the funds would be refunded based on her beneficiary details. However, the next day, all communication ceased. Realizing she had been defrauded, the victim filed an online police complaint.
Public Advisory
Authorities urge the public not to engage with suspicious calls or video calls claiming to be from the CBI, RBI, Enforcement Directorate, Customs, Judiciary, Cyber Crime Police, Narcotics Bureau, FedEx, BSNL, or TRAI.
No government agency demands money or conducts investigations over WhatsApp. There is no such thing as "digital arrest and investigation" in Indian law.
If anyone receives such a call, they should disconnect immediately and report the incident at the nearest police station. Victims of cyber fraud should call the national cybercrime helpline at 1930 or file a complaint at www.cybercrime.gov.in. For urgent assistance, individuals may also call or WhatsApp at 8712665171.
Hyderabad govt employee scammed of Rs. 84 lakhs in digital arrest fraud case#Hyderabad: A 57-year-old female government employee from Hyderabad was scammed of ₹84 lakh in a cyber fraud involving impersonation of law enforcement and fake claims of a "digital arrest."
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— Hyderabad Mail (@Hyderabad_Mail) May 8, 2025
