Bengaluru Elderly Woman Duped of ₹24 Crore in Digital Arrest Scam

In a shocking incident that has brought to light the sophisticated nature of cyber fraud, an elderly woman in Bengaluru, identified as Lakshmi Ramamurthy, was defrauded of an astounding ₹24 crore over a period of five months through a 'digital arrest' scam. This case, widely reported across various credible Indian news outlets, is being dubbed as one of Karnataka's biggest cyber fraud cases of its kind. The victim, a retired teacher who previously worked in Dubai and resided alone in Shivajinagar, became the target of this elaborate scheme after cybercriminals reportedly gained access to details of her recent property transactions. She had sold several properties in Bengaluru and Mumbai and was planning to relocate to the United States to live with her children, which made her a prime target for the fraudsters. The scammers initiated contact with Ramamurthy in January, posing as officials from the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) or other financial crime investigation agencies. They falsely accused her of being involved in illegal money laundering activities and financial crimes. Under the guise of a 'digital arrest,' they subjected her to intense psychological pressure, coercing her into believing she was under constant surveillance and threatening her with severe legal consequences if she did not cooperate. The fraudsters instructed her not to disclose the matter to anyone, including her children, and forced her to remain available on video calls for long durations, following their instructions to the letter. Between January and May, the victim, acting under extreme fear and duress, gradually transferred nearly ₹24 crore from her accounts to 22 different bank accounts operated by the criminal network. Even after receiving such a massive sum, the fraudsters continued to demand more money, pushing the victim to the brink of financial exhaustion. The elaborate scam finally unraveled when Lakshmi Ramamurthy, in a desperate attempt to raise additional funds for the fraudsters, visited an ICICI Bank Cantonment Branch in Bengaluru. She intended to mortgage 1.3 kilograms of gold ornaments. The bank manager, noticing the unusual nature and frequency of large transactions from her account, grew suspicious and immediately alerted the police. Personnel from the Central Crime Branch (CCB) Cyber Crime police station swiftly arrived at the bank and questioned the elderly woman. Initially, due to the constant psychological torture and threats from the fraudsters, she was reluctant to disclose any details. However, after sustained questioning and counseling by the police, the full extent of the 'digital arrest' scam came to light. The police then registered a formal complaint based on her statement and informed her children, who reside abroad. Following the complaint, investigators launched a multi-city operation, leading to the arrest of five individuals suspected to be part of the cyber fraud network. The arrests were made in Mumbai, Allahabad, and Delhi. Among those arrested are Gaurav Kumar and Om Prakash Rajput. Police have managed to freeze one bank account containing approximately ₹60 lakh as part of the ongoing probe. Efforts are underway to trace the remaining defrauded money, which was routed through 22 different mule accounts, and to identify any other members involved in this extensive cyber fraud network. This incident serves as a crucial reminder for the public to be vigilant against such sophisticated cyber scams. Law enforcement agencies, including the CBI, never conduct investigations or demand money through video calls or threaten individuals with 'digital arrest.' Authorities advise immediate reporting of any suspicious calls or messages to the National Cyber Crime Report Portal (cybercrime.gov.in) or the 1930 helpline. The victim's harrowing experience underscores the severe psychological toll and financial devastation that cybercriminals can inflict, especially on vulnerable individuals. The quick thinking of the bank manager played a pivotal role in halting further losses and bringing the perpetrators to justice, highlighting the importance of vigilance across all sectors. The investigation continues as police work to recover the significant amount lost and dismantle the entire fraud operation.

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