Senior citizen duped of Rs 2.07 crore in digital arrest scam by fraudsters posing as NIA, ED officials

Mangaluru: A 61-year-old man was allegedly cheated of Rs 2.07 crore by unidentified fraudsters who posed as officials from National Investigation Agency and threatened him with arrest in a ‘digital arrest’ scam.

According to the complaint, the victim received a phone call on March 31, 2026, from an unknown mobile number. The caller introduced himself in English as an officer from the National Data Protection Centre and claimed that the complainant’s identity card had been misused by a Mumbai-based person to purchase a SIM card. The caller further alleged that the SIM card was being used to send threatening calls, obscene photographs and videos to citizens in Mumbai, and was also involved in drug trafficking activities. The complainant was told that 30 to 50 FIRs might have been registered against him at the Colaba Police Station in Mumbai.

The fraudsters then informed the victim that officials from the NIA and ED would conduct an inquiry and provide clearance. Subsequently, the complainant received WhatsApp calls during which the callers identified themselves as Sandeep Rao, an NIA officer, and later connected him to a supposed senior officer named Matthew, who claimed to be an ADGP.

During the interaction, the callers collected the complainant’s personal details and later directed him to speak with another person who identified himself as Vilas Rao Patel, claiming to be an ED officer. The accused allegedly threatened the complainant, stating that records showed he was a major criminal involved in multiple cases and terrorist activities.

Fearing arrest and legal action, the complainant transferred money in multiple stages between April 7 and April 18. In total, a sum of Rs 2,07,04,600 was transferred to various bank accounts provided by the fraudsters. Having realised that he has been cheated, a complaint was registered at CEN station in Mangaluru.