A Noida-based doctor lost ₹59 lakh in a digital arrest scam after being falsely accused of circulating pornographic content. This scam, which is becoming more common in the Delhi NCR region, involves fraudsters using intimidation tactics to deceive victims. Dr. Puja Goyal, from Noida Sector 77, received a call on 13 July 2024 from someone claiming to be an official from the Telephone Regulatory Authority of India, alleging her phone was being used to circulate porn videos. Despite denying the allegations, Dr. Goyal was coerced into a video call, where she was threatened with serious consequences and told she was under ‘digital arrest’. After 48 hours of intense questioning, she transferred ₹59.54 lakh into a specified account. Realising the deception, she filed a complaint on July 22 with the Noida cyber crime cell.
Assistant Commissioner of Police (Cyber Crime) Vivek Ranjan Rai confirmed they are verifying the account details to which the money was transferred and will take appropriate action. This ‘digital arrest’ scam involves fraudsters impersonating law enforcement officers and using fake IDs to intimidate victims. A similar incident occurred with a 72-year-old woman from Delhi’s Chittaranjan Park, who was defrauded of ₹83 lakh. Noida police have issued an advisory warning residents about such scams, advising them to verify the credentials of suspicious callers, especially those using WhatsApp or video calls, and to report any such incidents to the nearest police station or cyber cell immediately.
The ‘digital arrest’ scam that targeted Dr. Puja Goyal highlights a disturbing trend of sophisticated fraud involving false accusations and psychological manipulation. Despite the high-profile nature of the case, it underscores the urgent need for vigilance and awareness against such scams. With Dr. Goyal losing ₹59 lakh to fraudsters posing as regulatory officials, the incident serves as a stark reminder of the risks associated with digital communication and the importance of verifying the legitimacy of any such claims. The ongoing investigation aims to bring the perpetrators to justice and prevent further victimisation.
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