Visakhapatnam govt employee loses Rs 14 lakh in digital arrest scam

Cybercriminals posing as Bengaluru police and CBI officials tricked a central government employee in Visakhapatnam into transferring over Rs 14 lakh, police said. The fraudsters threatened him with false criminal charges and forced him to hand over his savings.

Police said the scammers first called the victim, claiming to be a Bengaluru police officer. They alleged that a SIM card linked to his Aadhaar was circulating objectionable videos. They also told him a criminal case had been registered and asked him to appear in Bengaluru for investigation.

When the employee denied any involvement, another caller, posing as a CBI officer, claimed an arrest warrant had been issued. The fraudsters warned he would face arrest and dismissal from service if he failed to cooperate. They also instructed him not to disclose the matter to anyone.

The scammers asked him to deposit Rs 15 lakh for “verification.” Out of fear, the employee transferred more than Rs 14 lakh to the accounts provided. When the money did not return, he realised he had been scammed and filed a complaint with the cybercrime police in Visakhapatnam.

Officials said this was not the first case of its kind in the city. Two other residents recently lost around ₹4 lakh using the same tactic. Despite repeated awareness drives, police said many people still fall prey to digital arrest scams. Some victims avoid reporting due to fear or stigma, while others experience severe emotional distress after losing their life savings.