In a chilling case of cyber fraud, an Indian youth settled in Australia was digitally “arrested” by a gang impersonating Mumbai Crime Branch officers, who extorted Rs 48 lakh from his bank accounts in Australia and Ahmedabad. Authorities described the incident as unprecedented, highlighting the sophisticated evolution of cybercrime across borders.
The ordeal began on August 26, 2025, when the Sydney-based youth received a WhatsApp call from an individual claiming to be a Mumbai police officer. The caller alleged that suspicious transactions linked to anti-national activities were traced to the youth’s accounts and threatened arrest in Australia or detention in India if he failed to comply.
Over nearly a month, the victim was placed under continuous virtual surveillance, barred from meeting anyone, and forced to remain in front of cameras. The perpetrators forced him to buy a new phone and SIM card to gain control over his digital devices and extracted full banking details, siphoning off around Rs 14 lakh from his Australian account.
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The fraud extended to India, where the gang broke a fixed deposit of Rs 34 lakh in Ahmedabad, transferring the money to accounts under their control. Throughout, the victim was misled into believing the funds were “secured” for investigation purposes, ensuring compliance through fear and psychological isolation.
The deception came to light when the youth approached Australia’s Cyber Security Department, while his father noticed unusual transactions in Ahmedabad. A formal complaint was filed with the Ahmedabad Cyber Crime Branch, prompting an investigation into what may be the first known case of a “digital arrest” of an Indian abroad.
Authorities warned that cybercrime is increasingly sophisticated, exploiting fear and fake authority to gain control over victims’ digital and financial assets. They urged NRIs and citizens worldwide to remain vigilant against such high-tech scams that combine psychological manipulation with international reach.
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