Reported By Ankush Jaiswal
Navi Mumbai: In a shocking case of cyber fraud, a woman professor from a reputed educational institute in Navi Mumbai was conned out of ₹1.81 crore by fraudsters posing as Income Tax officials. The accused threatened her with a “digital arrest” and used fake documents to trap her into transferring her life savings. Navi Mumbai Crime Branch has arrested three individuals in connection with the case.
It All Began With A Threatening Call
The victim received a phone call from an unknown number. The caller claimed to be an officer from the Income Tax Department and accused her of tax evasion. She was told that a complaint had been filed against her in Delhi and that she owed ₹8.62 lakh in unpaid taxes.
Fake Documents From CBI, ED And Supreme Court Sent Via WhatsApp
To make the scam look real, the accused sent forged documents through WhatsApp, allegedly from the CBI, Enforcement Directorate, and even the Supreme Court. They falsely claimed that her credit card was found in connection with the high-profile “Amit Chaudhary case” and that she was about to face strict legal action.
“You Are Under Digital Arrest” – The Psychological Trap
Using fear tactics, the fraudsters told the woman she had been “digitally arrested.” They warned her that her entire financial history and property would be scrutinized. If found clean, the money would be refunded — or so they claimed. Out of fear, the professor shared her complete bank, stock market, and investment details with the scammers.
₹1.81 Crore Transferred to Six Bank Accounts
The woman was tricked into transferring a total of ₹1.81 crore to six different bank accounts over a short span. When she finally realized it was a scam, she rushed to the Navi Mumbai Crime Branch to file a complaint.
Crime Branch Cracks Down Swiftly
Under the guidance of ACP Ajaykumar Landge, the Crime Branch conducted a prompt investigation and arrested three individuals. According to the police, the gang had been targeting unsuspecting citizens by pretending to be high-ranking government officers and using “digital arrest” threats to extort money.
Police Alert Citizens: No Such Thing As A Digital Arrest
Police has urged the public to stay alert. “No legitimate government agency arrests people via phone calls or WhatsApp messages,” said officials. Citizens are advised to ignore such calls and report them immediately to local authorities.
