Fake cop on video call tries Rs 35 lakh ‘digital arrest’ extortion; bank intervention stops fraud

Fraud alert

A detailed account from M.V. Vinod, Chief Manager at Bank of Baroda’s Belthangady branch in Mangalore Zone, has revealed how a senior citizen narrowly escaped losing Rs 35 lakh to a digital arrest scam. The incident, which occurred in September, highlights how scammers continue to impersonate police officers through video calls to coerce victims into transferring large sums of money. The bank’s timely intervention prevented what could have been a significant financial loss.

Fake Police Uniform पहनकर एक स्कैमर ने वीडियो कॉल के जरिए ₹35 लाख ठगने की कोशिश की।

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लेकिन Bank of Kerala के सतर्क मैनेजर की वजह से यह “डिजिटल अरेस्ट” फ्रॉड समय रहते टल गया।#I4C #MHA #CyberDost #DigitalArrest #ScamCall #FraudCall #ScamAlert pic.twitter.com/WCUlw6lYxN

— CyberDost I4C (@Cyberdost) November 17, 2025

Here’s how it happened

According to Vinod, the customer—a senior citizen—visited the branch requesting closure of five fixed deposits worth Rs 87 lakh. Her explanation that the funds were needed for business expansion did not align with the scale of her small shop. Vinod also noticed her hands were shivering, and she appeared frightened, but she refused to reveal the real reason despite repeated questioning.

Sensing something was wrong, the manager instructed staff not to process the closures immediately and informed the customer that the transaction would be completed the next day. When she returned, she submitted an RTGS form to transfer Rs 35 lakh to a company account in Axis Bank, Bhagalpur. Again, she offered no clear reason for the payment.

After delaying the transfer for verification, Vinod attempted to contact her, but she stopped responding. Concerned for her safety, he went to her home. She silently signalled him not to speak, and he noticed a mobile phone placed on a switchboard with an active video call. A man in a police inspector’s uniform soon appeared on the call, claiming involvement in a legal process and demanding details.

Realising she was being digitally “arrested,” Vinod took the phone to the Belthangady Police Station, where real police confronted the scammers. The impostors, who falsely claimed to be from Colaba Police Station, ended the call once they realised the fraud attempt had failed.

Awareness message

The incident reinforces advisories from law enforcement agencies urging citizens to stay cautious. No police department conducts arrests or demands money over video calls. Any suspicious activity should be reported to 1930 or cybercrime.gov.in.

What users should know

Authorities advise citizens to disconnect instantly if someone poses as a police or government officer over a video call. Suspicious calls should be reported to the National Cybercrime Helpline 1930 or cybercrime.gov.in. This incident underscores the importance of awareness and the role of vigilant banking staff in stopping high-value fraud attempts.