A 69-year-old widow of a senior Indian Army officer in Kolkata was defrauded of Rs 15 lakh by cybercriminals who impersonated Mumbai Police officers and subjected her to a “digital arrest” scam.
The incident occurred on October 13 and 14. The callers claimed the woman was implicated in serious criminal cases and falsely asserted that all mobile numbers registered in her name had been seized. They threatened her with immediate arrest. During video interactions, the impostors appeared as police personnel in uniform and displayed forged documents bearing official seals and the national emblem.
Frightened by the threats, the widow disclosed personal and banking details. Believing she was following official instructions to clear her name, she transferred Rs 15 lakh to accounts specified by the fraudsters.
An FIR was registered on October 20 after she lodged a complaint. Kalighat police and the south division cyber cell are investigating the case. They are tracing the beneficiary bank accounts and the phone numbers used by the callers. Investigators are also examining the transaction trails to identify other suspects and map any wider network involved.
A senior divisional police officer noted that older adults often hold a deep-seated respect for government institutions such as the CBI or Customs. When scammers present forged documents with official seals or the national emblem over video calls, victims frequently comply out of fear rather than skepticism.
Police emphasised that genuine officers never demand money or bank details over calls or messages. They urged citizens, particularly senior citizens, to disconnect suspicious calls immediately and report them on the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal (cybercrime.gov.in) or at their local police station. There is no legal provision for a “digital arrest”; law enforcement agencies do not place individuals under virtual custody, demand transfers of funds to clear a name, or require secrecy from family members during an investigation.
The investigation remains ongoing. No arrests have been reported in this specific case as of the latest available information.
