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Pune, November 5, 2025 — In yet another alarming case of “digital arrest” fraud, a 57-year-old retired woman from Pune lost ₹51.2 lakh to cybercriminals who impersonated senior officials of the National Investigation Agency (NIA). The scammers exploited the woman’s fear by accusing her of being linked to the Pahalgam terror attack and demanded money under the guise of an investigation.

Fraudsters Impersonate NIA Chief to Create Fear

According to reports, the cybercriminals posed as NIA Chief Sadanand Date, one of India’s top investigative officials. The gang allegedly contacted the woman through a video call in late September, initially pretending to be officers from the Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS). They falsely claimed that her phone number had been used to share photos of weapons connected to the recent Pahalgam terror incident.

When the woman denied any involvement, the fraudsters produced fake documents, including a fabricated arrest warrant and a forged court order, to lend credibility to their claims. The victim, frightened and confused, believed the men were genuine government officers.

Trapped Through Fake ‘Investigation’ Process

As the conversation progressed, another fraudster—posing as NIA Chief Sadanand Date—told the woman that her assets would be frozen pending a national security inquiry. He instructed her to declare her total savings, fixed deposits, jewelry, and bank account details.

Claiming it was a “temporary verification procedure,” the fake officer ordered her to transfer all her funds to a so-called ‘government account’, assuring her that the money would be refunded after the investigation concluded.

₹51.2 Lakh Transferred in Five Transactions

Over the next four days, the woman received details of multiple “official accounts” through which she was coerced to make payments. Terrified of arrest and believing the scammers’ threats, she transferred ₹51.2 lakh across five different transactions.

It was only after she confided in her family that the deception came to light. Realizing she had fallen victim to a cyber scam, the woman immediately lodged a complaint at the local cybercrime police station.

Police Investigation and Trail of Digital Evidence

Following the complaint, an FIR was registered and a detailed investigation began. Initial findings indicate that the fraudsters used ‘mule accounts’—bank accounts operated by individuals who unknowingly or deliberately help transfer illegal funds. From there, the stolen money was allegedly converted into cryptocurrency and moved to offshore digital wallets to evade detection.

Authorities are now tracing the transaction trail and collaborating with financial institutions to identify and freeze the involved accounts. Investigators believe the operation is part of a larger cross-border network that has targeted several individuals under similar pretexts.

Growing Trend of Impersonation Scams

This incident adds to a growing list of cases where cybercriminals misuse the names of government agencies such as the NIA, CBI, and ED to instill fear among citizens. Fraudsters have increasingly adopted advanced digital tools—such as AI-generated deepfake videos—to mimic officials and simulate official surroundings, like courtrooms and police stations.

In most cases, victims are told they are under investigation for terror funding, money laundering, or illegal transactions. Out of fear and confusion, many end up transferring huge amounts of money to these criminals.

Supreme Court’s Warning on Rising Cyber Threats

Just days earlier, the Supreme Court had expressed grave concern over the surge in “digital arrest” scams across the country, revealing that such schemes have already caused losses exceeding ₹3,000 crore. The court termed it not only an economic crisis but also a “social menace,” particularly affecting the elderly.

The bench, led by Justice Surya Kant, urged the central government to take strict action and consider stronger inter-agency coordination to combat the growing misuse of artificial intelligence in cybercrime.

Awareness Is the Best Defense

Experts and law enforcement agencies continue to stress that awareness and caution are the best defenses against these scams. Officials urge citizens to remain alert and never share personal or banking details over unsolicited calls or video chats.

If anyone receives threats or suspicious calls claiming to be from law enforcement or government authorities, they should immediately contact the National Cybercrime Helpline (1930) or file a complaint on the official Cyber Crime Portal (www.cybercrime.gov.in).

As India rapidly digitizes, such incidents highlight the urgent need for stronger cybersecurity awareness, public education, and stricter enforcement to prevent more innocent citizens—especially senior citizens—from falling prey to “digital arrest” frauds.