FBD: Retired govt official becomes victim of ‘digital arrest’

FARIDABAD: A retired government official from Faridabad was duped of Rs 40 lakh by fraudsters posing as TRAI and Mumbai Police officials, who placed her under ‘digital arrest’ for 18 days, police said on Sunday.

The victim, Monika, who retired from her post as Labour Welfare Commissioner with the Central Ministry, lives with her 90-year-old mother in Faridabad, while her daughter resides in Delhi, police added.

On November 11 last year, she received a call on her mobile from an unknown number and was held hostage for the next 18 days, police said.

According to the victim’s complaint, the caller introduced himself as a representative of the Telecom Regulatory Authority and informed her that an account had been opened in Canara Bank, Mumbai, using her Aadhar card and phone number.

The caller also mentioned a large transaction made from that account involving the CEO of a private

aviation company.

The victim denied opening any account in Mumbai, to which the caller replied that a huge transaction had been made from the account.

The caller transferred the call to someone claiming to be a Mumbai Police officer, showing fake loan documents and sending an arrest warrant.