AdminIn a chilling illustration of modern fraud, a 74‑year‑old Mumbai social worker was lured into a digital arrest scam that cost her ₹1.6 crore. The man behind the lie, Ankush More of Nashik, has now been arrested by the West Mumbai Cyber Police, a move that prosecutors say could set a precedent for policing fraud that exploits seniors’ fear of legal repercussions.
Background/Context
Digital scams that masquerade as official law enforcement have emerged as a new weapon in the cyber‑crime arsenal. Unlike traditional phishing or money‑laundering schemes, a digital arrest scam hinges on the victim’s psychological vulnerability—most often age, lack of tech literacy, or socioeconomic status. In the last three years, the policing budget allocated to cybercrime in Maharashtra spiked 45%, reflecting the spike in such incidents.
This case is a stark reminder that the “digital jail” can be crafted out of a phone call. Authorities warned earlier this year that emerging fraudsters are increasingly using “mock calls from Government of India agencies” to coerce payments, a trend that had earned the moniker “remote arrest” in cyber‑security reports.
Key Developments
On 8th December 2024, the 74‑year‑old woman, Kamini Bhardwaj, received a call from someone claiming to be a TRAI employee. The operator threatened to deactivate her SIM card citing “unauthorized usage” and further implied that “penalties could be severe.” Within minutes, another caller—identifying himself as an officer from the Delhi Police, followed by claims of a CBI investigation—urged her to transfer ₹1.6 crore to a supposedly sanctioned account, assuring her that “no physical arrest would be made; you would remain under digital detention until the probe.
The suspect, Ankush More (DOB 03/17/1995), was apprehended on 12th January 2025 in Nashik’s Zhuleghaon sector, after West Mumbai Cyber Police traced IP data and conducted forensic analysis on the victim’s smartphone. He had used a rented Android device to intercept and manipulate a backup of the victim’s bank account data, securing her account login details through a staged “verification” pop‑up.
In court, More’s alibi—an unverified claim of “test‑driving a car”—was dismissed as hoax when cyber forensic evidence linked his device to the fraudulent transaction. The recovered funds amounted to ₹95 lakh, and the remaining balance is being bank‑reversed under the RBI’s “quick recovery” protocol.
Impact Analysis
For the 94% of Indian citizens over 60 who are less familiar with digital interfaces, the threat of a digital arrest scam is real. Sociologists estimate that more than 40% of senior citizens may fall prey to scams that invite them to “pay fines” online. Consequently, this incident has had broad resonant effects: a spike in calls to the National Call Center for Seniors, increased attendance at “Safe‑Tech” workshops in Mumbai, and a surge (30%) in selfie photo monitoring demand in senior hostels.
International students residing in Mumbai for research or experiential learning also feel the ripple. Colleges now issue advisories to students who may bring relatives into the city. The incident underscores the fragility of trust in communication channels—especially when a victim’s claim of “digital arrest” is paired with an impersonal voice on a cheap SIM card.
Expert Insights/Tips
- Verify the source. If you receive a call threatening legal action or demanding payment, hang up and independently verify the contact details with the official office. “Never share bank details to a caller who claims to be a government official,” says Dr. Shreya Gupta, a cyber‑security analyst at Cyberwise Institute.
- Use paper less security. Linking your mobile to a two‑factor authentication (2FA) using a biometric app eliminates the risk of fake calls. “A fingerprint or facial login is mandatory if you wish to keep your accounts safe,” stresses Mr. Raghav Sharma, head of the Maharashtra Police Cyber Unit.
- Keep a log. Document every suspicious call—time, caller ID, voice, and content. If possible, record the conversation. “These logs become evidence in court and provide an audit trail for the victim,” notes Ms. Alka Menon, consumer‑rights lawyer.
- Community awareness. Senior authorities across Mumbai have launched “digital safety circles,” where volunteers read out security notices in low‑carrier areas. “We need to empower the elderly to question anything that seems too urgent,” states Ms. Menon.
Looking Ahead
With the arrest of Ankush More, cyber‑law enforcement expects stricter action against individuals behind digital arrest scams. The new Cyber Scam Rule, proposed by the Ministry of Electronics, will now classify any communication that pretends to be official as “safety danger” and impose a 12‑month prison term for repeat offenders.
Technology companies are also stepping up. Telecom firms are integrating caller‑ID validation features that flag synthetic voices, and banks are adopting real‑time transaction monitoring that triggers law‑enforcement alerts when anomalous fund transfers occur from senior accounts.
Nonetheless, experts warn that the threat will evolve: the next wave could target pension‑plan holders, using “emergency fund” nomenclature. “We’re not simply fighting calls; we’re teaching digital hygiene,” explains Dr. Gupta. “The more seniors trust platforms that educate them proactively, the less room there is for fraudsters.”
For now, the case remains a high‑profile cue that the line between reality and deception can blur online. A mantra emerging from the investigation is clear: “When a caller threatens a digital arrest, the safest response is to hang up and confirm independently.”
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