BENGALURU — A 74-year-old citizen, Lakshmi Ramamurthy, has reportedly lost ₹24 crore in a 'digital arrest' scam, a figure representing her property sale proceeds. The funds were siphoned over five months into 22 different bank accounts, while law enforcement agencies, whose names were frequently invoked by the fraudsters, continued to issue general warnings about such schemes.

This incident follows a well-established pattern in Bengaluru, where similar 'digital arrest' scams have plagued elderly residents. In March 2024, a 78-year-old woman was defrauded of ₹38 lakh by individuals posing as NIA/CBI officials, with funds vanishing into an account linked to 'Sharvi Infotel Pvt. Ltd.' Another 78-year-old homemaker lost ₹2.1 crore in April 2024 to similar fraudsters, who claimed PFI links and managed to secure her life savings and gold.

Cybercrime experts and various government bodies have consistently issued advisories against these 'digital arrest' tactics. Yet, the scams persist, often involving psychological manipulation and impersonation of high-authority entities like the CBI, NIA, and ED, as seen in a March 2024 case where a 74-year-old retired man lost ₹50 lakh to fake telecom, CBI, and Supreme Court officials, his money routed to 'Payncare Technologie.'

“The public must remain vigilant,” stated a spokesperson for an agency frequently impersonated, pausing briefly to check the latest outgoing advisory. “We are constantly reminding citizens not to fall for exactly this kind of thing, which is why it’s so critical they listen.”