Engineer ‘digitally arrested’, loses ₹1.3 crore in cyber fraud
HYDERABAD: An Engineer from Bachupally was allegedly placed under a “digital arrest” by cyber fraudsters and duped of ₹1,33,73,975 after being threatened with false criminal cases and forced to transfer money under the guise of verification, police said.
The complainant, 58, said the incident began on January 9, 2026, when he received a call from an unknown mobile number. The caller accused him of harassing women by sending inappropriate photos from his phone.
He said he received another call the next day and was asked to speak to a “higher official”. During the conversation, he was allegedly accused of involvement in human trafficking and money laundering. The caller claimed that during a raid on a person identified as Sadakat Khan, authorities seized 289 debit cards, including a Canara Bank Mumbai card allegedly linked to him and containing ₹3 crore.
Paparao told police he denied the allegations and said the card did not belong to him. However, the callers allegedly threatened arrest and asked him to appear before authorities in Mumbai. When he said he could not travel due to job and health issues, they offered a “priority investigation” through digital verification.
Under continuous pressure and fear of arrest, he transferred money multiple times as “security deposit”, GST, verification charges, court fees and late payment penalties. The fraudsters allegedly assured him that the amount would be refunded after verification and sent receipts for the transfers.
Police said the victim transferred a total of ₹1,33,73,975 and the fraudsters used multiple numbers in this process .
The complainant stated that the callers maintained constant contact, tracked his location every two hours, instructed him to keep the matter secret in the name of national security and prevented him from informing family members. They also conducted WhatsApp video calls using a fake background resembling a CBI office to appear genuine.
Police said the victim later realised he had been cheated by fraudsters impersonating law enforcement officials and sought action to recover the money.
Based on the complaint received, Cyber Crime police registered a case under Sections 204, 318(4), 335, 336(3), 338, 340(2) read with 3(5) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and Sections 66-C and 66-D of the Information Technology Act.
