Retired Couple in Chandigarh Defrauded of ₹2 Crore in Digital‑Arrest Ruse
A retired couple in Chandigarh fell victim to a sophisticated scam that pretended to be a police arrest, resulting in a loss of approximately ₹2 crore. The case has heightened awareness of cyber‑fraud targeting senior citizens.
The couple, both former government employees, received a phone call from individuals claiming to be law‑enforcement officers who alleged that a family member was under investigation. The callers demanded an immediate payment of ₹2 crore to secure the alleged arrest, presenting forged documents and official‑looking seals to lend credibility to the deception. Trusting the purported authority, the retirees transferred the sum through a series of digital transactions, only to discover later that the supposed officers were impostors operating from an undisclosed location.
Investigators have traced the fraud to a network that exploits the growing reliance on digital payment platforms, using social engineering techniques to manipulate victims' emotions and sense of duty. The scheme underscores a broader vulnerability among senior citizens, who may lack familiarity with online security protocols and are therefore more susceptible to such ploys. Law‑enforcement agencies have issued advisories urging the public to verify any official communication through independent channels before complying with financial demands.
The financial loss has placed the couple under severe economic strain, prompting community members to organize a fundraiser to alleviate their hardship. Meanwhile, the police have launched a dedicated cyber‑crime cell to pursue the perpetrators, with hopes of recovering at least a portion of the stolen funds. The incident serves as a stark reminder of the need for robust digital literacy programs, especially for the elderly, and may catalyse legislative action aimed at tightening oversight of digital transaction platforms.
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