Thane: A 79-year-old lawyer and his wife fell victim to a sophisticated ‘digital arrest’ scam, losing Rs 64.6 lakh to cyber fraudsters who impersonated law enforcement officials. Police registered cases against three accused and managed to save Rs 5 lakh. On Sept 3 the elderly lawyer received a threatening WhatsApp call at his Mumbra residence around 3 pm. The caller alleged that SIM cards and bank accounts were fraudulently opened in the couple’s names and were being used for money laundering and anti-national activities, said the officer privy to the probe. The scammers sent forged documents, including fake FIRs, arrest warrants, and other electronic papers that appeared authentic and informed the couple that they were under ‘digital arrest’ and could only prove their innocence by immediately transferring money to specified bank accounts. The case has been filed under various sections of BNS and IT Act.
