TVM couple escapes financial loss after reporting ‘virtual arrest’ scam to cyber police

Thiruvananthapuram: A couple fell victim to an elaborate online scam involving a false virtual arrest threat. The perpetrators kept the couple in a state of fake arrest via video call throughout the night, demanding financial documents and threatening legal action. The couple, growing increasingly suspicious, reported the incident to the cyber police the following day. Despite continued threats through WhatsApp, the fraudsters eventually retreated.

The scam targeted a businessman from Kaladi, who was duped into believing that a parcel containing drugs had been intercepted in Mumbai. The call, purportedly from the Mumbai postal department, was received on Saturday evening. The caller, posing as an officer, provided the businessman’s name and Aadhaar number, claiming that the parcel had arrived from the UAE.

To lend credibility to the scam, the caller supplied the sender's address and phone number. The package, he claimed, contained 150 grams of drugs, police uniforms, several identification documents, and three debit cards. The businessman was instructed to file a complaint with the Mumbai police to avoid legal consequences.

During the video call, the scammer requested Aadhaar details along with a photograph. A person, who identified himself as a senior Mumbai Police officer, appeared in uniform and began interrogating the businessman. He also forced the businessman's wife into joining the call, falsely accusing the businessman of treason and presenting a fabricated Supreme Court judgment.

Further intimidation involved threats from the CBI and ED, stating that they would be arrested if they did not comply. The fraudsters demanded bank account information and details of financial investments. Suspicious of the scam, the couple provided only partial information. The fraudulent calls persisted from 6 p.m. until the morning. On Sunday, the couple filed a complaint with the Cyber Police and Karamana Police.