Retired employee loses ₹41lakh in Digital arrest scam by fake Mumbai cops
HYDERABAD: A 67-year-old retired employee from Hyderabad was duped of ₹41lakh in digital arrest by fake Officers. Fraudsters posing as police and Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) officials tricked him into transferring his savings to a so-called “RBI verification account” for investigation purpose.
Fraudsters posed as ACP and CBI officers; sent fake RBI documents
According to the complaint the victim, C. Janardhan Reddy, a resident of Kondapur, received a call on September 25, 2025, from mobile number 95895 72428. The caller identified himself as an Assistant Commissioner of Police from Mumbai and later switched to a WhatsApp video call from number 89670 31538.
Caller claimed victim’s Aadhaar used for illegal activities
The fraudster told Janardhan that his Aadhaar card was misused to open a Canara Bank account in Mumbai, allegedly linked to human trafficking and illegal financial transactions. Janardhan declined such activities, but the caller told that he was under investigation as a “suspect.”
Soon after, another man, claiming to be from the CBI, joined the video call and alleged that Janardhan’s identity was involved in an international money laundering case. The fraudsters threatened him with arrest and freezing of bank accounts if he did not cooperate.
Asked to transfer money to fake ‘RBI verification account’
The duo told Janardhan that to prove his money was legitimate, he must transfer his funds to an RBI “verification account.” They claimed the money would be refunded within 12–24 hours after verification. To convince him, they sent forged RBI and police documents over WhatsApp.
Believing the threats, Janardhan transferred a total of ₹41,20,000 from his HDFC and SBI accounts via RTGS to the beneficiary accounts given by the fraudsters. He was warned not to disclose the “investigation” to anyone or face imprisonment and a fine of up to ₹10 lakh.
Realised fraud, sought police action
After transferring the amount, receiving no response or refund, Janardhan realised he had been cheated and approached the police, seeking action against the culprits and recovery of his lost money. Police have registered a case and initiated an investigation.
