India Sees Surge in Sophisticated Cyber Scams Targeting Elderly and Professionals

Recent cases reveal victims losing significant sums in digital arrest and e-SIM fraud schemes involving impersonation and advanced tactics.

A 65-year-old man from Ratnagiri lost ₹61.19 lakh after scammers impersonated government officials and accused him of criminal activities involving a SIM card and bank account misuse.
In Navi Mumbai, a police sub-inspector fell victim to an e-SIM scam, losing ₹2.33 lakh after hackers gained control of his mobile number through a phishing link.
A 70-year-old retired banker in Bengaluru was defrauded of ₹89 lakh over 11 days, coerced by scammers posing as law enforcement into transferring his savings under false threats of legal action.
Scammers used tactics like creating fake complaints, threatening victims with legal consequences, and exploiting trust in government institutions and financial systems.
Authorities have launched investigations and urged the public to verify claims made by unknown callers, avoid sharing personal information, and report suspicious activities promptly.