A retired official from Patna’s Kankarbagh area has allegedly lost ₹66.80 lakh after cybercriminals impersonating Delhi Police and Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) officers threatened him with arrest and accused him of involvement in a money-laundering case.
According to the supplied report, the callers pressured the man to remain at home, avoid contacting others and transfer money to designated bank accounts under the pretext of an official investigation. The alleged fraud came to light when he travelled to Australia to visit his elder son, who helped him recognise the deception.
A complaint has reportedly been lodged with Patna Cyber Police, and investigators are examining the transactions and other evidence.
Fake Police Identities Used to Create Fear
The reported incident began with a phone call from an unknown number. The caller allegedly introduced himself as Rajesh Pradhan, claiming to be associated with Delhi Police, before connecting the victim to another person identified as Sunil Kumar and presented as a senior officer.
The callers reportedly accused the retired official of being connected to the laundering of ₹6.80 crore through a bank account in Delhi’s Chandni Chowk area. They also claimed that the CBI was investigating the matter and referred to an alleged foreign money-laundering complaint registered at Barakhamba police station.
These claims allegedly created fear of immediate legal consequences. The callers reportedly warned that the victim and his family could face arrest if he failed to follow their instructions.
The incident follows a pattern commonly described as a digital arrest scam, in which fraudsters impersonate law enforcement or government officials and use threats to pressure victims into complying with demands. The term does not mean that a genuine legal arrest has taken place.
Victim Allegedly Pressured to Transfer ₹66.80 Lakh
The report states that the callers instructed the victim to prepare a bond letter and claimed that his savings needed to undergo a verification process associated with the Reserve Bank of India (RBI).
Under the pretext of protecting his money while the supposed investigation continued, the fraudsters allegedly directed him to transfer funds into bank accounts they provided.
Believing the callers were genuine officials and fearing legal action against himself and his family, the retired man reportedly transferred a total of ₹66.80 lakh through Real-Time Gross Settlement (RTGS) transactions across several accounts.
The alleged use of an RBI verification process was central to the deception. A claim that money must be transferred to another account to prove its legitimacy or keep it safe should be treated as a serious warning sign, particularly when accompanied by threats and demands for secrecy.
Son Helps Uncover the Alleged Cyber Fraud in Australia
According to the supplied report, the victim did not recognise the alleged fraud until he travelled to Australia to visit his elder son.
During their conversation, he explained the calls, the money-laundering accusations and the transfers he had made. His son reportedly helped him understand that the callers may have been impersonating law enforcement officials.
The victim then took steps to report the incident, with assistance from his son, and submitted a written complaint to Patna Cyber Police.
The case illustrates how discussing suspicious calls and financial demands with a trusted family member can help people identify warning signs that may be difficult to recognise while under pressure.
Cyber Police Investigate Bank Transfers and Call Records
Investigators have reportedly begun examining the recipient bank accounts, transaction trails and call records in an effort to identify those responsible.
Tracing the movement of funds across multiple accounts may help investigators establish how the money was handled and whether other individuals or accounts were involved. The outcome of these inquiries has not been established in the supplied report.
The reported loss also highlights the importance of promptly reporting suspected cyber financial fraud to the appropriate authorities and the victim's bank. A quick report may assist efforts to trace or freeze funds, although recovery is not guaranteed.
How to Recognise a Digital Arrest Scam
People can reduce their exposure to similar fraud attempts by following a few basic precautions:
Do not transfer money under pressure: Threats of immediate arrest or demands to move savings for supposed verification are major warning signs.
Verify the caller independently: Contact the relevant agency using official contact details rather than numbers supplied by the caller.
Do not trust caller identity alone: A name, uniform shown on video or official-sounding language does not prove that a caller represents a government agency.
Speak to someone you trust: Fraudsters may try to isolate victims and prevent them from seeking advice.
Report suspected fraud quickly: In India, call the cybercrime helpline at 1930 and report the incident through the official National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal. Contact the bank immediately if money has been transferred.
Investigation Ongoing
The alleged ₹66.80 lakh fraud is now under investigation, according to the supplied report. Police will need to examine the financial and communication records to establish the sequence of events and identify those responsible.
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