Elderly NRI couple loses Rs 1.40 crore to sophisticated virtual arrest scam in Kerala

Pathanamthitta: An elderly couple in Kerala’s Pathanamthitta district lost more than Rs 1.40 crore in a sophisticated “virtual arrest” cyber scam after returning from Abu Dhabi.

David P Mathew and his wife Shirley, residents of Kizhakkeel House, Mallappally, were targeted by fraudsters posing as Mumbai Crime Branch officials, who accused them of involvement in serious crimes, including child pornography and money laundering, police said on Saturday.

The scammers claimed that a phone number registered in Shirley’s name had been used to circulate objectionable content and that a complaint had been filed at Chembur Police Station. The couple were warned that unless they paid immediate bail money, they would be arrested.

Victims were instructed not to speak to anyone, as they were reportedly under “virtual arrest” in a cybercrime case. Another caller added that Rs 20 lakh had been transferred from a bank account linked to businessman Naresh Goyal into Shirley’s account and that both the CBI and ED were monitoring their transactions.

Fearing legal action and repeated threats, the couple transferred Rs 90.50 lakh in multiple instalments, followed by another Rs 50 lakh. When they tried to transfer an additional Rs 38 lakh from Federal Bank on Friday, staff noticed irregularities and alerted the police, who immediately intervened.

Keezhvaipur Police have registered a case under sections relating to cyber fraud and cheating. The investigation has been handed over to the Cyber Cell, which suspects the money was routed through multiple mule accounts.

Officials warned that virtual arrest scams are increasingly targeting vulnerable senior citizens. Police urged the public not to respond to threatening calls and to immediately report any suspicious demands for money linked to legal or police matters.

IANS