A retired bank manager in Mumbai's Bhandup area was allegedly held under a so-called "digital arrest" for 54 days by cybercriminals who extorted ₹40.90 lakh by threatening to implicate him in the Delhi bomb blasts and a money laundering case, Mumbai Police said on Wednesday, 6 May. The fraudsters impersonated officers from the Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) and the National Investigation Agency (NIA) to create an atmosphere of sustained psychological terror.

How the Fraud Unfolded

The ordeal began on 10 March, when the victim, Rajendra, a former manager at the Maharashtra State Co-operative Bank, received a video call via the Signal app from an account named "ATS Department." The caller identified himself as PSI Singh, claiming to be a Delhi ATS officer. He alleged that Rajendra's name had surfaced in connection with the Delhi bomb blasts of January and a separate money laundering case.

The accused further claimed that a bank account had been fraudulently opened in Karnataka using Rajendra's Aadhaar details and mobile number, through which suspicious transactions worth ₹2.65 crore had allegedly been conducted. To intensify pressure, the fraudsters cited a purported Supreme Court order and threatened immediate arrest and asset confiscation.

Isolation, Surveillance and Escalating Demands

Under constant surveillance via video calls, Rajendra was instructed to isolate himself in a separate room at home, avoid all contact with family and friends, and follow the fraudsters' directions without question. Operating under extreme mental duress, he initially transferred ₹2.90 lakh.

The fraud then escalated sharply. Rajendra was coerced into liquidating stock market investments worth ₹29 lakh, of which ₹28 lakh was siphoned into multiple bank accounts controlled by the accused. A further ₹10 lakh was extracted under the pretext of "bail security," a sum arranged by the victim's wife through a loan. The fraudsters assured Rajendra the entire amount would be refunded within two days and the case resolved — assurances that proved false.

Accused Go Silent After Receiving Money

Shortly after receiving the final payment, the accused severed all communication. After waiting several days with no response, Rajendra realised he had been defrauded. He filed a complaint with the national cybercrime helpline 1930 on 3 May, followed by a formal complaint with the Mumbai Cyber Cell on 4 May.

Investigation Under Way

Mumbai Police have launched an investigation to trace the perpetrators and identify the bank accounts used in the fraud. This case is among a growing pattern of "digital arrest" scams across India, where fraudsters impersonate law enforcement agencies to psychologically immobilise victims over extended periods. Authorities have repeatedly warned citizens that no legitimate agency conducts arrests or legal proceedings via video call. The outcome of the investigation is expected to shed light on the network of accounts used to launder the extorted funds.