In August, Ruchika Tandon, a 44-year-old neurologist at a top hospital in India, found herself trapped in a nightmarish situation that seemed like something out of a federal crime investigation. But it wasn’t an investigation—it was an elaborate scam that drained her family’s life savings.
Tandon became the victim of a "digital arrest" scam, a deceptive scheme where fraudsters impersonate law enforcement officials over video calls. They convince victims that they are under investigation for serious crimes, like money laundering, and threaten them with arrest unless they transfer large sums of money to avoid punishment. For a week, Tandon was manipulated into complying with relentless surveillance and instructions from scammers posing as police officers, judges, and even the country’s top federal agency, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).
How the Scam Works
Tandon’s ordeal began with a call from someone pretending to be an official from India’s telecom regulator. They claimed her phone number was involved in illegal activity and was about to be disconnected. Moments later, a man posing as a police officer accused her of being involved in a money-laundering scheme, using her joint bank account with her mother to funnel money for human trafficking.
Soon, the supposed police officer told Tandon that the case was so serious it would be handled by the CBI. To prevent her arrest, she would have to remain under "digital custody"—a concept fabricated by the scammers. They insisted that she surrender her daily freedoms, comply with their instructions, and transfer her money to prevent her from being locked up.
They told her that if she followed their instructions, they would ensure that she wasn’t physically arrested. The scammers manipulated her emotions, using tactics like constant threats, staged trials, fake court orders, and even fabricated courtrooms with judges who never appeared on video, only showing fake badges.
Tandon was forced to buy a new smartphone so the scam could continue, as the fraudsters needed her to be on video. Over the course of six days, she was surveilled 24/7—her phone’s camera always running, tracking her movements even while she cooked, slept, or used the bathroom. At times, she was instructed to hide under a bed to avoid family members, who were told that she was too ill to meet them.
Eventually, in a desperate attempt to end the nightmare, Tandon transferred all of her savings to the scammers. They told her it was necessary for "government verification," and assured her she would be refunded. But once the money was transferred, the scammers disconnected the line and vanished.
The Psychological Toll
After a week of torment, Tandon returned to work, exhausted and shaken. It wasn’t until she started searching for terms like “digital custody” and “CBI investigation methods” that she realized she had been scammed. Still, she couldn’t shake the feeling that the whole ordeal had been real. When she went to the police, she was met with disbelief, as many officers were familiar with this type of scam. Some even laughed at her, saying it was common now.
Tandon isn’t the only one who suffered. Journalist Nilanjan Mukhopadhyay was also targeted by the scammers in July. He was held for 28 hours under "digital arrest," with the scammers claiming his old bank account had been used for money laundering. However, Mukhopadhyay became suspicious when the caller asked about his mutual funds—something an actual police officer would never inquire about. With the help of friends and family, he was able to disconnect from the scam and avoid losing his money.
The Reach and Methods of the Scam
The "digital arrest" scam is a growing problem in India, with fraudsters using sophisticated methods to target potential victims. They often gather personal information from social media and other online sources to create realistic scenarios. They know details about their victims, like where they work or what they do, and use this information to make their threats seem more credible.
In Mukhopadhyay’s case, the scammers knew he was a journalist who had written a biography on Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and they tailored their scam to fit his profile. Similarly, Tandon’s attackers had information about her profession and even about a recent conference she had attended.
Despite their elaborate tactics, the scammers often make mistakes—such as when Mukhopadhyay’s caller asked an odd question about his mutual funds or when Tandon’s fake judge displayed a photo of a retired chief justice, something that seemed out of place.
Investigations and Recovery
The police have made some progress in catching the perpetrators, with 18 suspects arrested across India so far. A portion of the stolen money has been recovered, but much remains missing. For Tandon, only about 1.2 million rupees of the 25 million she lost have been returned. Investigators believe the scammers are highly educated, with backgrounds in fields like engineering, banking, and cyber security. Many operate through encrypted communication channels like Telegram, making them harder to track.
The scale of the scam is vast, and officials are warning that it is likely to keep growing. The scammers often target individuals with high social standing or significant financial resources, but no one is truly safe. Victims like Tandon and Mukhopadhyay are left with the psychological scars of the ordeal, struggling to trust anyone—even law enforcement—after being deceived by such a well-orchestrated operation.
Conclusion
The "digital arrest" scam is one of the most insidious and elaborate frauds affecting India today. It preyed on the trust and vulnerability of its victims, stripping them of their savings and leaving them emotionally and financially devastated. While authorities are taking steps to catch those responsible, the fear and trauma caused by these scams continue to haunt those affected. For victims like Dr. Tandon, life has not yet returned to normal, and the question remains: how many more will fall victim to this growing wave of cybercrime?