Mumbai Priest Falls Victim to ₹50 Lakh Digital Arrest Scam
Malad priest duped of ₹50 lakh in digital arrest scam
Hindustan Times
Image: Hindustan Times
A 69-year-old chief priest from Malad, Mumbai, was duped of nearly ₹50 lakh in a digital arrest scam. Cyber fraudsters impersonated law enforcement officials, falsely linking him to a terror attack and coercing him into transferring funds while under constant surveillance via WhatsApp.
- 01The priest was falsely accused of funding a terror attack.
- 02Fraudsters posed as police officers during the scam.
- 03The priest was coerced into transferring ₹50 lakh.
- 04The scam involved a WhatsApp video call to maintain control.
- 05A disciple alerted the police after noticing suspicious behavior.
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In Mumbai, a 69-year-old chief priest of a temple in Malad was scammed out of nearly ₹50 lakh (approximately $60,000 USD) in a digital arrest scheme. The incident began on April 1 when the priest received a WhatsApp video call from a woman impersonating a police officer. She falsely linked him to the Pahalgam terror attack and claimed that his bank accounts were used to fund terrorism. Under the guise of a digital arrest, the fraudsters monitored him through the call and pressured him to transfer funds to various accounts. The priest was kept under this digital surveillance for two days, which prevented him from attending a scheduled religious program in Vrindavan, Uttar Pradesh, India. Concerned about the situation, one of his disciples questioned him and subsequently reported the matter to the police. Authorities have registered a case against the unidentified fraudsters under multiple sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, including cheating and forgery.
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This incident raises awareness about the prevalence of cyber fraud and the tactics used by scammers, urging individuals to remain vigilant.
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