Prayagraj, Cyber Fraud: Woman Duped of ₹50,000 After Fake ‘Digital Arrest’ Threat in Prayagraj
A young woman living in the Cantonment police station area of Prayagraj became a victim of cyber criminals who tricked her by claiming she had been placed under “digital arrest.”
The fraudsters threatened her with legal action if she disconnected the call, and later siphoned off ₹50,000 by extracting an OTP from her.
Based on her complaint, an FIR has been registered against unidentified persons, and an investigation is underway.
Roshni, originally from Barokhera in Ajnaar, Mahoba district, and currently residing in Rajapur, Prayagraj, holds a savings account at Kotak Mahindra Bank’s Medical Crossing branch and uses UPI services through her mobile phone.
On October 28, she received a call from an unknown number.
The caller posed as a police officer, claiming that her phone was under surveillance and instructing her not to disconnect the call, threatening criminal charges if she did so. Fearful and confused, Roshni continued the call.
The fraudster sent her a li,nk and shortly afterward, she received a one-time password (OTP).
When the caller demanded the OTP, Roshni shared it under pressure, following which ₹50,000 was withdrawn from her account in two separate UPI transactions.
Police investigations later revealed that the money was transferred to a UPI ID registered in the name of one Pankaj Gupta.
Station House Officer Sunil Kumar confirmed that an FIR has been lodged against the unknown caller, and efforts are underway to identify the culprits and recover the money.
Supreme Court’s Firm Stand on Cyber Crime
Although this specific case is under local investigation, the Supreme Court of India has repeatedly expressed grave concern over the rise in cyber fraud cases, urging authorities nationwide to strengthen cybersecurity mechanisms, ensure strict action against scammers, and run awareness campaigns to protect citizens from online financial crimes.
The Court has emphasized that law enforcement must move swiftly in such cases, given the sophisticated tactics used by cyber criminals to exploit innocent people.
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