Coimbatore based businessman loses Rs 20 Lakh in digital arrest scam

Coimbatore: A 63-year-old foundry owner in Coimbatore lost Rs 20 lakh in a digital arrest scam.Police said the victim, a resident of Peelamedu, received a call from a man claiming to be a CBI officer from Mumbai. The caller claimed that illegal financial transactions had been carried out through the businessman’s bank account using his identity card and demanded access to his bank details.When the victim denied transferring money to anyone, the fraudster claimed that he had been placed under digital arrest and ordered him not to leave his house. He also threatened that armed police personnel were secretly monitoring his movements.The scammer then instructed him to transfer all the money in his bank account to another account for “verification,” assuring him that the amount would be returned after the process. He had also warned him not to leave his home or speak to anyone over the phone until the money was refunded.Out of fear, the businessman transferred Rs 20 lakh to the account mentioned by the fraudster and remained inside his house. However, as the man who claimed to be a CBI officer did not get back to him even after three days, he became suspicious.When the businessman tried calling the number back, it was switched off. After repeated failed attempts and checking with others, he realised he had been duped in a fake digital arrest scam.He later filed a complaint with the Coimbatore city cybercrime police, who registered a case on Monday, and began an investigation.