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BSF inspector falls prey to ‘digital arrest’ scam, loses ₹71 lakh

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Photo: Gerd Altmann | Pixabay

A Border Security Force (BSF) inspector stationed in Tekanpur, Gwalior, endured a month-long ordeal, and cybercrime experts are dubbing it one of the longest ‘digital arrests’ ever recorded. The victim, identified as Avsar Ahmad, was defrauded of ₹71 lakh after being manipulated by scammers posing as law enforcement officials.

Ahmad’s nightmare began a month ago when he received a phone call accusing him of involvement in money laundering. The caller, masquerading as a police officer, escalated the intimidation via a WhatsApp video call, claiming to be monitoring Ahmad’s activities.

The fraudsters went a step further, warning him against seeking help or revealing the situation to anyone, threatening his family’s safety and his arrest, reports Free Press Journal.

Manipulated by these threats, Ahmad took drastic steps to comply with the fraudsters’ demands. Over one month, he sold a flat in New Delhi, liquidated his savings, and even parted with a land he owned, all to “save himself” from the fabricated charges.

Overall, the inspector made over 34 transactions, transferring a staggering ₹71 lakh to the scammers.

This fraud came to light thanks to Ahmad’s son, who grew suspicious of his father’s behaviour. Upon discovering the extent of the financial drain, he urged Ahmad to report the matter to authorities.

India has a large population that significantly lacks cybersecurity knowledge. This is the reason why many people fall victim to scams, such as digital arrests.

Following his son’s insistence, Ahmad approached the Gwalior Cyber Crime branch, filing a formal complaint.

The Gwalior Cyber Crime branch has initiated an investigation and is filing a case against unidentified individuals. According to officials, the scammers skillfully exploited Ahmad’s trust and position to orchestrate the crime, employing advanced tactics to maintain the illusion of constant surveillance.

India faces numerous cyber scams due to widespread cybersecurity ignorance. Last year in November, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) blocked about 6 lakh mobile numbers and 709 apps to combat digital arrest scams.

The government of India also blocked international spoofed calls showing Indian numbers in May, resulting in a 90% reduction in these calls.

The Department of Telecommunication (DoT) introduced a two-tiered system to detect and block incoming international spoof calls.

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Kumar Hemant

Kumar Hemant

Deputy Editor at Candid.Technology. Hemant writes at the intersection of tech and culture and has a keen interest in science, social issues and international relations. You can contact him here: kumarhemant@pm.me

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