Elderly Businessman Held In 'Digital Arrest' For Three Days By Impostor ATS Officer; Swindled Of ₹30 Lakh

Vrindavan: Cyber ​​fraudsters, posing as ATS officers, held an elderly businessman under "digital arrest" for three days and swindled ₹30 lakh by threatening to send his family to jail. The fraudsters kept the victim under constant surveillance via video calls and instructed him not to contact anyone. Terrified, the businessman gathered funds from his various bank accounts and transferred the money via RTGS to an account specified by the scammers. When his son learned of the incident, a complaint was lodged at the cyber police station. Acting on the complaint, the police have managed to freeze ₹15.90 lakh of the swindled amount.

Ratan Lal Agarwal, a businessman residing at C-4, Shri Ji Kunj in Banke Bihari Basti, received a WhatsApp call from an unknown number on September 28. The caller identified himself as an ATS officer and claimed that his wife's mobile number was being used fraudulently and had been linked to a criminal activity. Subsequently, the fraudsters threatened to imprison the businessman and his family members, citing an alleged investigation.

The threats and interrogation did not stop there. The cyber fraudsters kept the businessman in constant contact via phone and video calls. He was kept in such a state of fear for three days that he continued to follow the scammers' instructions without informing other family members about the incident. The fraudsters demanded ₹30 lakh to avert the alleged legal action. Under pressure to protect his family, the businessman pooled funds from his various bank accounts and transferred the entire amount via RTGS to a bank account provided by the fraudsters on October 1.

Even after the money was transferred, the fraudsters continued to exert pressure, leading the businessman's son to discover the entire matter. He immediately lodged an online cyber complaint. Subsequently, a case was registered at the cyber police station based on the victim's complaint, and an investigation was initiated.

Cyber ​​Police Station In-charge Rafat Majeed stated that the defrauded amount is being traced alongside an examination of the bank accounts and mobile numbers involved. Acting promptly, the police have managed to place a hold on ₹15.90 lakh out of the transferred funds. Efforts are underway to recover the remaining amount. Action will be taken to identify and arrest the accused.