• Target elderly individuals on WhatsApp calls.
• Use legal threats to intimidate victims.
• Demand money transfers to avoid arrest.

5. ‘Digital Arrest’ Scam Targeting Senior Citizens (2024)

Steps of the Fraud:

1. WhatsApp Call from Impersonated Officials:
   • Senior citizens receive WhatsApp calls from individuals posing as police officers or government officials.
2. False Allegations:
   • The callers accuse the victims of involvement in criminal activities, such as money laundering or cybercrimes.
3. Intimidation and Coercion:
   • Victims are threatened with immediate arrest, property seizure, or public exposure to instill fear.
4. Demand for Money Transfers:
   • To avoid the fabricated consequences, victims are coerced into transferring substantial amounts of money to accounts controlled by the fraudsters.