Retired Nagpur nurse loses Rs 90 lakh to cyber criminals after being placed under 'digital arrest'

Efforts are being made to nab the accused, he said.Digital arrest is a growing form of cybercrime in which fraudsters pose as law enforcement officers, court officials or personnel from government agencies to intimidate victims through audio and video calls.

A 72-year-old retired nurse was cheated of Rs 90.65 lakh by cyber criminals who kept her under 'digital arrest' for several weeks, a police official said on Sunday.

The ordeal for the woman, a resident of Jaripatka here, began after she received a call in November last year from a person claiming to be an law enforcement agency officer, the cyber police official said.

''The accused told the woman her name had surfaced in a money laundering case and that she was liable to be arrested. The accused conducted fake police and court proceedings through video calls to create fear. They then forced her to transfer Rs 90.65 lakh to various accounts between November 26 and December 9,'' he said.

She realised she had been duped after the accused, who had promised a refund if the probe found her innocent, stopped all communication, the official said.

''Citizens should remember that no police agency, court or government department conducts 'digital arrests' or asks people to transfer money for verification. Efforts are being made to nab the accused,'' he said.

Digital arrest is a growing form of cybercrime in which fraudsters pose as law enforcement officers, court officials or personnel from government agencies to intimidate victims through audio and video calls. They hold the victims hostage and put pressure on them to pay money.