IIT-Bombay student loses Rs 7 lakh to 'digital arrest scam': 'WhatsApp call from TRAI employee' and more, how he was duped

A 25-year-old IIT Bombay student lost Rs 7.29 lakh after falling victim to a digital arrest scam. The fraudsters impersonating as an employee of the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) threatened him to pay money, falsely accusing him of money laundering.

The incident began in July when the student received a call from an unknown number. The caller, posing as a TRAI official, told him that 17 complaints had been filed against his mobile number for illegal activities. To avoid having his number deactivated, the caller claimed the student needed to get a no-objection certificate (NOC) from the police.
The scammer then transferred his call to another individual, who appeared in a WhatsApp video call dressed as a police officer. The person accused the student of being involved in money laundering and demanded his Aadhaar card number. Consequently, the scammer then pressured the student to transfer Rs 29,500 via UPI to avoid arrest.
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The victim was then put under digital arrest and was told by fraudsters that he could not contact anyone. He received another call from the scammers the next day, this time asking for more money. The student shared his bank account details, allowing the fraudsters to steal Rs 7 lakh.
After receiving the payment, the scammers assured the student that he was safe and would not face arrest. It wasn’t until the victim researched "digital arrest" online that he realized he had been scammed. He then filed a complaint with the police.

Digital arrest is a form of cyber fraud where scammers pose as law enforcement or government officials and use intimidation tactics to manipulate victims. In this scam, fraudsters claim that the victim is under investigation for illegal activities (like money laundering) or is facing some legal issues. They may use fake video calls or phone calls to make the threat seem more convincing, often accusing the victim of being digitally "arrested" or facing severe consequences unless they comply with the scammer’s demands.
Earlier this year, Prime Minister Narendra Modi warned the nation about the rise in digital arrest scams during his recent Mann ki Baat address. “Be aware that no investigating agency conducts such interrogations over the phone or video call. The three steps to digital security are: stop, think and act,” he then stated.
“As soon as you get a call, stop... don't panic, stay calm, don't take any hasty steps, don't give away your personal information to anyone; if possible take a screenshot and record it for sure,” he added.