Noida (Uttar Pradesh): A 76-year-old woman from Noida was placed under ‘digital arrest’ for 23 days by cybercriminals for ‘funding terrorists’ involved in the Pahalgam attack and duped of Rs 44 lakh.
An FIR has now been registered with the Noida police by the family of the woman, a resident of Sector 41.
The victim Sarla Devi told the police that she was first contacted on July 18 by a woman posing as an Airtel tele-caller named Neha. She was informed that her mobile number was being misused at a shop in Mumbai’s Byculla area for gambling and blackmail, and that she required police clearance.
A man called up soon after that, claiming to be a senior police officer from Mumbai Crime Branch. He appeared in uniform over a video call and told her that four bank accounts had been opened in her name. He alleged these accounts were being used for drug trafficking, hawala transactions, online gambling, and even funding terrorists involved in the recent Pahalgam attack.
The man also said that an arrest warrant had been issued against her. Fearing action, Sarla Devi followed their instructions and was virtually confined under “digital arrest” from July 20 to August 13. During this period, the fraudsters forced multiple online transfers from her account, siphoning a total of Rs 44 lakh. They also allegedly pressured her to take loans and transfer more funds.
The police suspect that a gang, operating from Cambodia, was behind the crime. The members kept a constant watch on her through video calls, police and eventually cut contact after transferring the money in eight instalments.
Based on her complaint, an FIR has been lodged at Noida’s Sector 24 police station under sections of cheating and cybercrime. Investigators are tracing the accounts through which the money was moved.
The police have alerted people not to fall for such scams. There is nothing known as a ‘digital arrest’ under law, officials said.
“Those facing such threats just need to contact the local police before carrying out any transaction. Such criminals are primarily targetting elderly people with retirement funds. Younger relatives should tell them not to fall for such scams,” an official said.