Cybercrime Surge: Elderly in Uttar Pradesh Duped Under 'Digital Arrest'

Elderly individuals in Uttar Pradesh's Gautam Buddh Nagar have been scammed out of over Rs 4 crore in separate incidents. Cybercriminals subjected victims to 'digital arrest' using false claims of illegal activities linked to their identities. Calls from fake police stations coerced them into transferring large sums of money.

In a disturbing rise of cybercrime, elderly individuals in Uttar Pradesh's Gautam Buddh Nagar have been defrauded of substantial sums, with two victims losing over Rs 4 crore combined. The method involved putting them under 'digital arrest' through a series of fraudulent calls, according to local authorities.

Hemantika Vahi, a 72-year-old lawyer, fell prey to such scams, losing Rs 3.29 crore. She reported receiving a call alleging that her Aadhaar card was used to open bank accounts linked to illegal activities. Misled by these false claims and subsequent calls from a fake police station, she transferred the money.

Similarly, a 75-year-old man, Rajiv Kumar from Noida, was hoodwinked out of Rs 49.5 lakh. He was informed that his phone number and Aadhaar card were associated with criminal activities. Held under 'digital arrest', he transferred funds over nearly two weeks, believing he was settling the matter.

(With inputs from agencies.)