A retired professor from Bhubaneswar was subjected to weeks of psychological terror by cybercriminals who threatened him with “digital arrest.”
The scammers used repeated phone and video calls to convince him he was under surveillance and would face real arrest unless he transferred money. In the end, the professor handed over a staggering ₹2,45,24,540 — even borrowing from friends and acquaintances.
Thanks to the swift intervention of the Crime Branch Cyber Cell, the victim has now recovered ₹1.10 crore.
The ordeal began in February when unknown callers and video callers spun an elaborate story claiming the professor was under investigation. They told him he had been placed under “digital arrest” and would remain under constant watch until the matter was “resolved.” Terrified, the professor started transferring money in multiple tranches across different bank accounts between February and May to “clear his name” and avoid arrest.
When he finally told the callers he had no money left, the harassment stopped. A few days later, he realised he had been conned. On May 15, he lodged a complaint on the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal (NCRRP) and approached the Crime Branch Cyber Cell.
The Cyber Cell registered the case immediately and began a technical investigation. It emerged that the defrauded amount had been routed to several accounts, including ₹1.10 crore sent to a private bank account outside Odisha. Acting on suspicion, the bank froze the account, preventing the fraudsters from withdrawing the money.
The Crime Branch team quickly approached the court. Following the court’s order, the entire ₹1.10 crore was transferred back to the professor’s account.
This case once again exposes the ruthless tactics used in “digital arrest” scams, where fraudsters impersonate police or investigative agencies and keep victims on prolonged calls to extract money. The successful recovery highlights the importance of immediate reporting and close coordination between police and banks.
