A terrifying scam known as the “digital arrest” hoax has been targeting Indians, leaving victims emotionally shattered and financially drained. This elaborate fraud involves scammers posing as law enforcement officials, threatening fake arrests, and coercing victims into transferring large sums of money in the name of “bail.” In one shocking case, Ruchika Tandon, a 44-year-old neurologist from Lucknow, lost ₹2.5 crore. The ordeal began with a call claiming her phone number was linked to criminal activities. Over the next week, scammers pretending to be police officers, CBI officials, and even a judge kept her under constant surveillance through video calls, forcing her to part with her entire life savings.
Dr. Tandon was tricked into buying a smartphone and kept under 24/7 watch, even while cooking, sleeping, or hiding from relatives. The scammers staged a fake trial, presented falsified court documents, and used fear tactics, such as threatening immediate arrest, to maintain control. “I felt trapped and powerless,” she recalls. “They made me believe I was under investigation for money laundering and trafficking.”
She is not alone in this ordeal. Indians collectively lost over ₹1,200 crore to similar scams between January and April 2024, according to official data. However, experts believe the real numbers are much higher as many victims remain silent out of shame or helplessness. Investigators have traced more than 40% of these scams to Myanmar, Cambodia, and Laos. The gravity of the situation prompted Prime Minister Narendra Modi to address the issue during his October Mann Ki Baat, urging citizens to remain alert and stating, “No investigative agency inquires through phone or video calls. Do not be scared—stay aware.”
Police investigations have revealed that these scams are run by well-educated, tech-savvy professionals fluent in multiple languages. Scammers often use personal information collected from social media to target their victims and operate through platforms like Telegram. Investigating officer Deepak Kumar Singh explained, “These scammers are smart. They know how to exploit personal weaknesses quickly and efficiently.”
In Dr. Tandon’s case, police arrested 18 suspects across India, recovering about ₹1.2 crore of her stolen money. Yet, the trauma lingers. “Every phone call now fills me with anxiety,” she says. “Even at work, I feel blank sometimes. Nights are the worst.” To prevent such scams, authorities advise never responding to calls threatening legal action, avoiding sharing personal or financial details over the phone, and reporting suspicious activities to the police or cybercrime helplines immediately. As these scams grow more sophisticated, staying informed and cautious remains the best defense.