Mumbai Woman Scammed in 'Digital Arrest' Fraud, Forced to Strip and Pay ₹1.7 Lakh

A 26-year-old woman was duped by cybercriminals posing as police, highlighting a growing trend of 'digital arrest' scams targeting both seniors and young adults.

The victim, a pharmaceutical employee from Borivali East, was contacted on November 19 by fraudsters claiming to be Delhi Police officers investigating a money laundering case involving Jet Airways founder Naresh Goyal.
Scammers coerced the woman into booking a hotel room, staying on a video call, and performing actions such as stripping for 'body verification' and transferring ₹1.7 lakh for 'bank account verification'.
'Digital arrest' scams involve fraudsters claiming victims are under virtual surveillance and must comply with demands, including financial transfers, to avoid legal consequences.
Mumbai Police have registered a case under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhit and Information Technology Act and are investigating the incident.
Similar scams have recently targeted individuals across India, including senior citizens and young adults, with cases involving losses of up to ₹26.33 lakh and false impersonations of high-ranking officials.