NOIDA: A woman from Noida’s Sector 41 was duped of ₹34 lakh by cyber criminals who used fake Enforcement Directorate (ED) notices and threatened her with a so-called “digital arrest.” The scammers fabricated a series of elaborate claims, including that a parcel bearing her name, sent from Mumbai to Iran, contained five passports, two debit cards, two laptops, $900, and 200 grams of narcotics.
The victim, identified as Nidhi Paliwal, was first contacted by the fraudsters around 10 p.m. on August 8. The criminals posed as ED officials and sent her a complaint via WhatsApp, demanding that she transfer ₹34 lakh to avoid severe legal consequences. They even went as far as to conduct a Skype call with Paliwal, although the video was switched off during the call.
Inspector Vijay Kumar Gautam from the Gautam Buddha Cyber Crime Police Station confirmed the incident and stated that a case has been registered and investigations are underway. According to Gautam, the scammers also sent Paliwal two fake ED notices, accusing her of serious crimes and pressuring her to comply with their demands.
“This is part of a growing trend of digital arrest scams where criminals exploit fear to coerce victims into paying large sums of money,” said Inspector Gautam. “We are investigating the matter and working to trace the fraudsters.”
The rise in digital arrest scams has become a significant concern in India, with many falling victim to these psychological manipulation tactics. The criminals use fear and threats to create panic, often targeting unsuspecting individuals through phone calls and video conferences.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently addressed the issue in his 115th episode of the Mann Ki Baat radio programme, urging the public to be cautious. “People from all walks of life have been tricked into losing their hard-earned money out of fear. It is important to remember that no investigative agency conducts inquiries in this manner—through phone calls or video calls,” Modi said.
Authorities have warned the public to be vigilant and not succumb to such fraudulent tactics. Victims are encouraged to report any suspicious calls or messages immediately to the police or cyber crime cells.
