A 57-year-old Bengaluru-based tech professional lost ₹31.83 crore after being trapped in a digital arrest scam for more than six months, marking one of the largest cyber fraud cases reported in Karnataka. Police registered a complaint at the East Cyber Crime Police Station and have launched a search for the gang behind the elaborate operation.
The victim transferred the money through 187 transactions, wiping out almost her entire savings and bank deposits, except for her fixed deposits. The scammers repeatedly assured her that the money would be returned after verification but kept delaying the date until they eventually cut all contact.
She filed the complaint on November 14 after growing suspicious, explaining that her son&rsquo;s wedding and other commitments caused a delay in approaching authorities.
Her ordeal began on September 15, 2024, when she received a call from someone pretending to be from a courier company in Mumbai. The caller falsely claimed that a suspicious package in her name containing credit cards, passports and illegal substances had been intercepted. The call was then diverted to a person impersonating a Central Bureau of Investigation officer, who convinced her that she was under investigation and must not seek help from the police or legal professionals.
The impersonators isolated her and used fear to control her movements. With her son&rsquo;s wedding approaching, she complied with their instructions. The gang connected with her through Skype and introduced themselves under fake identities. One member stayed in her house under the pretext of monitoring her for security reasons, effectively placing her under digital confinement.
On September 23, the victim was told to declare her assets to a fake Financial Intelligence Unit. Using this information, the fraudsters extorted money from her in multiple stages and even issued fabricated clearance documents to maintain the deception.
Police are investigating the case further and tracing the individuals who orchestrated the prolonged digital arrest scam.
[Except for the headline, this article has not been edited by the Benefit News editorial team and is published directly from the IANS news feed.]

A Bengaluru woman was trapped in a six-month digital arrest scam, losing over ₹31 crore

Bengaluru Techie Loses ₹31 Cr in Cyber Fraud

A Bengaluru woman was trapped in a six-month digital arrest scam, losing over ₹31 crore

November 17, 2025 | 12:11 IST