Overview

• The scam began on January 22, 2025, when the victim, Shobha Dhumappa Shetty, received a WhatsApp call from someone claiming to be from DHL Customer Service regarding a suspicious parcel in her name.
• Fraudsters posing as officials from the Crime Branch and Enforcement Directorate manipulated Shetty into transferring ₹1.72 crore over a month by leveraging fake documents and threats of arrest.
• The victim became suspicious after encountering a similar scam online on March 6, 2025, prompting her to halt further payments and report the incident to authorities.
• An FIR has been registered against the unknown individuals involved, and the Central Region Cyber Police Station is now investigating the case with evidence provided by the victim.
• The case highlights the growing prevalence of 'digital arrest' scams in India, where fraudsters exploit fear and impersonation tactics to extort money from vulnerable individuals.