A pair of cyber fraud incidents in Karnataka's Belagavi city has left two women facing combined losses of ₹22 lakh, prompting a major investigation by the Belagavi City Cyber Economic and Narcotic Crime (CEN) Police.
Authorities have registered separate cases involving two different fraud techniques—one centered on a fake "digital arrest" narrative and the other exploiting a fraudulent utility bill alert. Investigators believe both incidents demonstrate the increasing sophistication of cybercriminals who rely on psychological manipulation rather than technical hacking alone.
Cyber Police Launch Parallel Investigations
According to officials, specialized cybercrime teams are tracing transaction trails, banking records, digital footprints, and beneficiary accounts linked to both frauds.
Investigators are also examining the movement of funds through suspected mule accounts that may have been used to rapidly disperse the stolen money across multiple jurisdictions.
The first case reportedly resulted in a loss of ₹15 lakh, while the second involved unauthorized withdrawals amounting to ₹7 lakh.
Fake Court Proceedings Used in Digital Arrest Scam
The larger of the two frauds allegedly targeted Vijaya, a doctor residing in Belagavi's Bhagya Nagar area.
According to investigators, she received a phone call from unknown individuals claiming that her identity details had been linked to serious legal violations. The fraudsters allegedly escalated the deception by moving the conversation to a video call designed to resemble an official judicial proceeding.
Police say the victim was shown what appeared to be a courtroom setting with individuals posing as judges and court officials. During the interaction, she was allegedly threatened with legal action and instructed not to discuss the matter with family members or local authorities.
The fraudsters reportedly convinced her that her financial assets needed to be temporarily verified as part of a legal audit process. Under pressure, she allegedly shared sensitive banking information linked to her account.
Investigators state that unauthorized transactions were subsequently carried out, resulting in the withdrawal of ₹15 lakh from her fixed deposit holdings.
Fake Gas Bill Alert Leads to ₹7 Lakh Loss
In a separate case, another woman was allegedly targeted through a fake utility-payment scam.
According to the complaint, the victim received a message claiming that her Mega Gas connection faced immediate disconnection due to an unresolved billing issue.
When she contacted the number provided in the message, fraudsters allegedly persuaded her to follow verification steps that allowed remote access to her mobile device.
Police believe the attackers secretly captured banking credentials while keeping the victim occupied with what appeared to be a routine payment process.
The fraud resulted in unauthorized transfers totaling approximately ₹7 lakh.
Authorities Warn Against Video-Based Intimidation Tactics
Following the incidents, both victims approached the City CEN Police and formal cases were registered under relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and the Information Technology Act.
Cybercrime officials warned that criminal networks are increasingly using highly convincing visual setups, video conferencing platforms, and impersonation tactics to create a false sense of legitimacy.
Authorities emphasized that:
- Courts do not conduct surprise legal audits through unsolicited video calls.
- Police agencies do not demand fund transfers to verify innocence.
- Government departments do not request banking credentials over phone or video calls.
- Utility companies do not require remote access to customer devices for bill verification.
Growing Threat of Social Engineering Fraud
Cybersecurity experts note that modern fraud schemes increasingly depend on social engineering rather than technical intrusion. Criminals often exploit fear, urgency, and authority to manipulate victims into voluntarily sharing confidential information.
Digital arrest scams, fake utility notices, impersonation calls, and remote-access frauds have emerged as some of the fastest-growing cybercrime categories across India.
Officials have advised citizens to immediately disconnect suspicious calls, verify communications through official channels, and report fraud attempts to the national cybercrime helpline 1930.
Shunyatax Global Insight
The Belagavi cases highlight how cybercriminals continue to evolve their tactics by combining psychological pressure, visual deception, and financial manipulation. Whether through fake legal proceedings or fabricated utility notices, fraudsters are increasingly targeting trust and fear to bypass traditional security measures.
Public awareness, prompt reporting, and strict verification of unsolicited communications remain among the strongest defenses against emerging cyber threats.
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