Trapped in ‘digital arrest’ for 26 days, Saudi-return woman duped of ₹83 lakh; 71-year-old victim suffers mental trauma

Bengaluru: A 71-year-old woman who had returned from Saudi Arabia was allegedly conned of Rs 83 lakh by cyber crooks who kept her under 'digital arrest' for nearly a month, convincing her that she was under surveillance by the Delhi Police.

A senior officer from CEN (North) said the victim, a resident of RMV 2nd Stage near Mathikere, had earlier worked for a private firm in Saudi Arabia.

On October 5, she received a call from a woman identifying herself as Keerthi Sharma from the Telecom Department. The caller claimed that two SIM cards registered in her name were being used for illegal money laundering and would soon be deactivated.

When the woman sought clarification, another caller identifying himself as Neeraj Thakur, purportedly a senior officer with the Delhi Police, told her she was under digital arrest and would be monitored for three months. He instructed her to follow orders strictly and communicate only through video calls.

Believing them to be genuine officers, the victim shared her bank account details and credentials. Over several transactions spanning nearly a month, the fraudsters siphoned off Rs 83 lakh from multiple bank accounts.

The scammers also forbade her from stepping out or speaking to anyone, claiming she was “under observation”. They later told her she was “released” on November 1 after she said she had no money left even for daily expenses.

On November 5, the woman sought help from her son’s friend for financial assistance. When he learnt of the fraud, he accompanied her to the CEN North police station, where a case was registered. Police are yet to identify the accused.

Officers said the victim, originally from West Bengal, had moved to Bengaluru after her husband’s death to live with her son, who later began living separately, leaving her alone.