A 72-year-old retired officer in Belagavi, Karnataka, allegedly lost ₹42.40 lakh after cybercriminals posing as law enforcement officials threatened him with arrest over fabricated criminal allegations.
The fraud reportedly occurred between October 3 and 9, when the victim, a resident of Tilakwadi, was manipulated into transferring money to multiple bank accounts under the pretext of a so-called digital arrest.
According to the police complaint, the ordeal began on October 3 with a phone call from an unidentified person who first sought information about the victim’s family members. The caller subsequently contacted him through a WhatsApp video call and allegedly introduced himself as Vijay Kanha, an IPS officer purportedly associated with the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).
The impersonator allegedly accused the retired officer of being involved in serious criminal activities. He claimed that the victim’s mobile number had been used to circulate objectionable videos and that his bank account was connected to money laundering.
Using these allegations to intimidate him, the fraudster allegedly created fear of arrest and legal action. The victim was reportedly convinced to transfer a total of ₹42.40 lakh to several bank accounts during the period.
The incident highlights how cybercriminals exploit the fear of criminal proceedings by impersonating senior police officers and central investigative agencies. In digital arrest scams, fraudsters typically use phone calls or video calls to threaten victims with fabricated charges and pressure them into transferring money.
A complaint has been registered with the Cyber Crime, Economic Offences and Narcotics (CEN) Police in Belagavi city. Further details about the investigation and any arrests were not available in the supplied report.
