In a disturbing cybercrime incident in Mumbai’s Bhandup area, fraudsters subjected a retired bank manager to a 54-day “digital arrest,” extracting Rs 40.90 lakh by threatening him with involvement in the Delhi bomb blasts and a money laundering case. The Mumbai Police revealed that the perpetrators posed as officers from the Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) and the National Investigation Agency (NIA), instilling fear and psychological pressure on the victim to comply with their demands. The victim, identified as Rajendra, a former manager at the Maharashtra State Co-operative Bank, was coerced into transferring significant amounts of money, including liquidating his stock market investments.
The ordeal began on March 10 when Rajendra received a video call through the Signal app from an account named “ATS Department,” where the caller, claiming to be PSI Singh from the Delhi ATS, implicated Rajendra in the Delhi bomb blasts and a money laundering case. The fraudsters also alleged that a bank account was opened fraudulently in Karnataka using Rajendra’s Aadhaar details and mobile number, leading to suspicious transactions totaling Rs 2.65 crore. To intensify the coercion, they referenced a supposed Supreme Court order, threatening immediate arrest and asset confiscation.
Under constant video surveillance and instructions to isolate himself at home, Rajendra succumbed to extreme mental pressure and initially transferred Rs 2.90 lakh. The fraud escalated as he was compelled to sell shares worth Rs 29 lakh from his stock market investments, with Rs 28 lakh diverted to the fraudsters’ bank accounts. Additionally, the perpetrators extorted Rs 10 lakh as “bail security,” arranged by Rajendra’s wife through a loan, promising a refund within two days and case resolution. However, after receiving the money, the fraudsters ceased communication, leaving Rajendra realizing he had fallen victim to deception.
Following the ordeal, Rajendra reported the incident to the national cybercrime helpline 1930 on May 3 and lodged a formal complaint with the Mumbai Cyber Cell on May 4. Authorities have initiated an investigation to track down the culprits and identify the bank accounts involved in the fraudulent activities.
