Digital Arrest: Mumbai woman forced to strip online, duped

A Mumbai woman was conned into transferring ₹1.7 lakh and forced to strip during a video call by fraudsters posing as police officers. Exploiting the fake concept of ‘digital arrest,’ the scamsters lured her into a hotel room and threatened her with arrest, leaving her traumatized and deceived.

By PC Bureau

In a harrowing case of online fraud, a 26-year-old woman from Mumbai was deceived into stripping during a video call and losing ₹1.7 lakh to scamsters. The incident came to light when the victim, a Borivali East resident working for a pharmaceutical company, lodged a police complaint after discovering the deception.

The scam began on November 19, when fraudsters impersonating Delhi Police officers contacted the woman. Claiming she was implicated in a money laundering case involving Naresh Goyal, the jailed founder-chairman of Jet Airways, they leveraged fear to execute their fraud. The perpetrators accused her of being under ‘digital arrest,’ a fabricated term they used to coerce compliance, and threatened immediate arrest unless she followed their instructions.

During the video call, the scamsters instructed the woman to book a hotel room, citing the need for privacy during a so-called interrogation. Once she complied, they demanded a ₹1.78 lakh transfer, claiming it was required to verify her bank account details. Under further duress, she was forced to strip on camera under the guise of a “body verification.”

The woman followed the instructions, only to realize later that she had been conned. She filed a complaint on November 28, prompting authorities to register a case under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and the Information Technology Act. A detailed investigation is underway to identify the culprits.

This shocking incident mirrors a previous case where fraudsters duped Shri Paul Oswal, the chairman of the Vardhman Group, of ₹7 crore using a similar modus operandi. In that instance, too, the victim was threatened with ‘digital arrest.’

What Is ‘Digital Arrest’?

‘Digital arrest’ is a fictitious term exploited by fraudsters to trap their targets. Victims are told they are under virtual surveillance and are forbidden from alerting anyone. The fraudsters remain connected with their targets via video or audio calls, leveraging fear to demand large sums of money. Initially targeting senior citizens unfamiliar with technology, the scam has increasingly ensnared younger adults.

Authorities have repeatedly warned the public that ‘digital arrest’ is a scam and does not exist in any legal framework. Despite advisories, the growing number of such incidents underscores the need for heightened public awareness and caution in dealing with unsolicited calls or demands for money.

Recent Cases of Digital Arrest Scams in India