• Impersonate police or government officials on WhatsApp calls.
• Accuse victims of crimes like money laundering.
• Use fear of arrest to demand large sums of money.

Mumbai Woman Duped in ‘Digital Arrest’ Scam (2024)

Steps of the Fraud:

1. Impersonation via WhatsApp Call:
   • A 77-year-old woman from Mumbai received a WhatsApp call from individuals posing as police officers.
2. False Accusations:
   • The fraudsters accused her of being involved in illegal activities, such as money laundering and drug trafficking.
3. Intimidation and Coercion:
   • They threatened her with immediate arrest and legal consequences to instill fear.
4. Demand for Money:
   • To avoid arrest, the victim was coerced into transferring approximately ₹3.8 crore over a period, believing it was necessary to clear her name.