Chandigarh Woman Loses ₹2.5 Crore in Digital Arrest Fraud

Chandigarh Digital Arrest Fraud Case: An 82-year-old resident of Chandigarh’s upscale Sector 10 became the latest victim of a chilling digital arrest fraud, losing a staggering ₹2.5 crore to scammers who impersonated top government officials. The elaborate deception began on May 3, when she received a call from a person claiming to be from the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI). The caller falsely accused her of using her mobile number for illegal activities.

The scammers carefully orchestrated a series of psychological manipulations. Over the next few days, the woman aged over 80 received WhatsApp messages and video calls from people posing as officials from the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and even the Supreme Court. The fraudsters went as far as showing her fake Supreme Court documents and arrest warrants. One of the most shocking parts of their story linked her to a money laundering case allegedly involving Jet Airways CEO Naresh Goyal.

To increase the pressure, the accused claimed she was under “digital surveillance” and must remain silent under an unofficial “secrecy oath.” They instructed her to transfer all her savings to a so-called “secure government account” for verification. Trusting the fabricated narrative and gripped by fear, she complied. Over several days, she ended up transferring ₹2.5 crore, believing she was helping a government probe.

False Accusations Used to Intimidate Victim Over Mobile Number

In a separate but equally concerning case in the city, police arrested two men from Nayagaon, Mohali—Sunny (40) and Vijay Kumar (43)—for cheating a Sector 11 resident out of nearly ₹11 lakh in a fake online job scheme. Scammers initially contacted the victim on WhatsApp, offering part-time income and paid tasks. After gaining her trust, they added her to a Telegram group and manipulated her into making larger payments by promising high returns. She eventually lost ₹10.99 lakh.

Police investigations revealed that Sunny had received ₹50,000 from the scam proceeds, while Vijay acted as a facilitator by linking him with the wider fraud network.

Also Read: Amritdhari Sikh’s Ordeal in Abu Dhabi Raises Serious Human Rights Concerns

These incidents serve as a grave reminder of how digital deception is evolving, often targeting the vulnerable with professional-level fraud tactics. Authorities urge the public to be cautious, especially when approached with claims involving government agencies, and to report any suspicious activity immediately.