Inside India’s digital arrest scam: The con that steals your money and peace of mind

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Transcript

00:00From fake lottery wins to phishing emails, con artists always seem to be a step ahead.

00:11A new fraud in India doesn't just steal your money, it invades your life.

00:16It's called the digital arrest scam.

00:19In this scam, you're tricked into believing you're under investigation,

00:23watched 24x7 and forced to give up everything you own.

00:27A 44-year-old neurologist says a single phone call turned her world upside down.

00:33The caller accused her of using her mobile number for illegal activities

00:38and within minutes, a man posing as a senior police officer escalated the threats.

00:43He warned her of immediate arrest unless she agreed to digital custody.

00:49Confused and terrified, the doctor complied.

00:52What followed was a week of relentless surveillance.

00:56Strangers on video calls monitored her every move.

01:00Cooking, sleeping, even hiding from relatives.

01:04They forced her to lie to her workplace and family

01:07while manipulating her into transferring her entire life savings.

01:12By the end of the ordeal, nearly 25 million rupees were gone.

01:17Eventually, a desperate internet search revealed the truth.

01:21The doctor approached the police and while a fraction of her savings was recovered,

01:25the emotional toll remains.

01:28This is just one of many cases.

01:30Between January and April 2024, Indians lost more than 1,200 million rupees to similar scams.

01:39The criminals, often operating from overseas,

01:42used sophisticated methods to target victims,

01:45leaving them emotionally and financially devastated.

01:49India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi has warned citizens to stay vigilant,

01:54reminding everyone that no real investigative agency operates through phone or video calls.

02:01The scammers are experts.

02:03They use personal information from social media,

02:06fake documents and psychological pressure to control their victims.

02:11Scams like these are more than financial crimes.

02:15They shatter trust and steal the peace of mind.

02:19Therefore, stay cautious.

02:21Verify before you act.

02:23And remember, no legitimate authority will ever demand money over a call.