Digital arrest scam: Fake police try to cheat journalist over WhatsApp call, get schooled instead

A scammer who was dressed in a police uniform and appeared to be in a police station even sent across a fake document from the Supreme Court and the Telecom Regulation Authority of India naming him as an accused in 17 cases of harassment. (Image credit: @vijaygajera/X)

An investigative journalist in Gujarat has exposed how scammers pose as policemen to intimidate and cheat people into paying them money using WhatsApp. Vijay Gajera received a call from an unknown number on Thursday that he immediately recognised to be a scam call, but played along.

"First I received a call from an unknown number informing me that my mobile numbers would be blocked in the next four hours as they were being used for harassment and financial fraud," Gajera shared on X. "Scammers make this call in the name of Telecom Regularity of India (TRAI)."

The caller told him to either reach the Lucknow police station in 12 hours or register his statement on WhatsApp video call. Gajera chose the second option and pretended to be afraid on the call. Soon, he received a WhatsApp video call from a person dressed as a police officer sitting in what looked like a police station. The journalist pointed out that this is the modus operandi that scammers usually use since it's during the video call that people begin to believe that it is a real police case.

4. After receiving a WhatsApp call, I found a scammer in a police uniform and set up like a police station.This is why most people start to believe that this is a real police case.Watch this clip to learn how they started. pic.twitter.com/L3eYeQvia0
Vijay Patel (@vijaygajera) October 24, 2024

The scammer on camera told Gajera that his Aadhaar details and phone number have been used for illegal activities and tried to convince him to file a complaint, at the same time urging him to stay on the line with him. The "officer" also asked Gajera to offer him a 360-degree view of the room with his back camera to ensure he was alone.

The scammer said that 17 complaints of harassment have been filed against Gajera. He also shared a fabricated document over WhatsApp. It was allegedly sent by the Supreme Court and TRAI and named Gajera as an accused.

The journalist, however, pointed out that his surname was misspelled in the document.

"Next step is very interesting, he used a walky-talky to inquire about me in the police headquarters! His tone changed, and he started to threaten me after the headquarters informed him to arrest me!" Gajera said, adding that the same officer tried to scare him by saying that they have discovered his connection in money laundering activities.

9. Next step is very interesting, he used walky talky to inquire about me in the police headqouter!His tone changed, and he started to threaten me after the headquarter informed him to arrest me! Hear the whole conversation. pic.twitter.com/HVGYQJuFNlVijay Patel (@vijaygajera) October 24, 2024

"Actually, this is a trick to know how many bank accounts you have and how much money you have in them so they can clean it!" the reporter said. "Next, he started to inquire about whether I use UPI apps or net banking so they can use this mode to transfer the amount. In the end, the scammer police officer gives this case to DCP. He informed me that I needed to transfer all the money I had in my bank accounts, which would be returned if I was found innocent, and they would give me a certificate!"

During the entire ordeal, which appeared to last for 1.5 hours, Gajera was held on "digital arrest" which meant that he could not end the call or move away from the phone. Gajera wrote that he intentionally played along so that he could record the ordeal and share it on social media to raise awareness. "I request you all to share this thread maximum because every day innocent people are being targeted and losing their life money in a single day. Only awareness can help to stop this," he said.