Scammers Harassed Retired Doctor to Death in 'Digital Arrest' Extortion Plot
A 76-year-old Hyderabad doctor dies from cardiac arrest following relentless harassment by scammers.
In a heartbreaking case of cybercrime gone deadly, a 76-year-old retired government doctor passed away from a massive cardiac arrest after enduring three days of psychological torment from fraudsters who subjected her to a so-called "digital arrest." The scammers, who extorted Rs 6.6 lakh from her, continued sending threatening messages even after her death on September 8, police revealed on Wednesday.
The ordeal began on September 5 when the victim, a former chief senior resident medical officer, received a message on an instant messaging app from fraudsters masquerading as Bangalore Police, complete with a fake logo. They bombarded her with a fabricated "investigation report" that included her Aadhaar details, falsely accusing her of involvement in a human trafficking racket.
For the next three days, the woman was trapped in a web of deception. Posing as officials from the Supreme Court, Karnataka Police, Enforcement Directorate (ED), and Reserve Bank of India (RBI), the criminals unleashed a barrage of video calls, forged documents, and dire threats of prosecution under the National Security Act (NSA). Terrified, she transferred Rs 6.6 lakh from her pension account to their control, only to be coerced into sharing transaction slips and enduring more intimidation.
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The relentless mental agony proved fatal. On the morning of September 8, the doctor suffered severe chest pain and was rushed to a hospital, where she succumbed to cardiac arrest. Her son, reviewing her call records, uncovered the scam's horrifying details and filed a complaint, linking the fraud directly to her untimely demise.
Police have registered a case under relevant sections of the Information Technology (IT) Act and Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), with investigations underway to trace the perpetrators.
In the wake of this tragedy, Hyderabad Police issued a stark advisory: "No law enforcement agency will ever declare you 'digitally arrested' via phone or video. Scammers often use forged documents like CBI warrants or Supreme Court orders to instill fear. Never share bank details, OTPs, or personal information over calls." The public is urged to stay vigilant against such evolving cyber threats.
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