Amid heightened fear after the recent car bomb blast near Delhi’s Red Fort, cyber criminals are exploiting panic through an alarming rise in “digital arrest” scams, a tactic where fraudsters impersonate law enforcement officers to intimidate victims. In a disturbing case from Kanpur, a woman was convinced she was under investigation for terrorism and was coerced into transferring ₹6.66 lakh to scammers posing as officials of the Uttar Pradesh Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS).
The victim, Sunita Gaur, received multiple calls between November 9 and 11, during which the callers claimed her mobile number was linked to a suspected terror module responsible for the Delhi blasts. The scammers warned her that unless she cooperated, she and her entire family would be arrested under charges related to national security.
The fraudsters elevated the psychological pressure by switching to video calls, where they appeared in uniforms resembling ATS officers. They adopted an authoritative tone, used official terminology, and created a sense of urgency to ensure compliance.
“The callers were very convincing. I genuinely believed it was a real investigation and transferred the money immediately,” Sunita told reporters, adding that she has chosen not to appear on camera for safety reasons.
While Sunita fell victim to the elaborate trap, two other Kanpur residents, Pankaj Chaddha of Govindnagar and retired banker CK Tiwari of Vijaynagar, escaped similar attempts. Their refusal to join video calls and their decision to disconnect when doubts arose prevented losses.
Following Sunita’s complaint, a case was promptly registered, and the city’s cyber crime unit began its investigation.
Additional Deputy Commissioner of Police (Crime), IPS Anjali Vishwakarma, described the incident as “another serious case of digital arrest,” warning that the scammers are leveraging public fear surrounding the Red Fort blast to execute high-pressure fraud.
She added that the gang appears to be well-coordinated and is likely operating through multiple locations. The cyber cell is tracking the digital footprint of calls, payments, and the fake identities used during the video interactions.
Police have urged citizens to remain cautious amidst rising misinformation and fear linked to the Delhi blast. Vishwakarma reiterated that no law enforcement agency ever demands money, nor does any investigation require citizens to stay on video calls or transfer funds.
“Anyone contacted by individuals claiming to be police or investigative officers and demanding money should immediately report the matter to the nearest police station,” she said.
As authorities work to trace the culprits, the case serves as a stark reminder of how quickly fear can be weaponised in the digital age, turning unsuspecting individuals into victims of one of India’s fastest-growing cyber fraud trends.
