Karnataka BJP MP's Wife Loses Rs 14 Lakh Via 'Digital Arrest', Money Recovered

Karnataka BJP MP's Wife Recovers Rs 14 Lakh After 'Digital Arrest' Scam

BJP Chikkaballapura MP K Sudhakar's wife was targeted by cyber fraudsters through a WhatsApp call

Bengaluru:

Bengaluru police have successfully recovered Rs 14 lakh that was fraudulently taken from Preeti, the wife of BJP Chikkaballapura MP K Sudhakar, through a cyber scam known as 'digital arrest'.

Police officials reported that the incident occurred on August 26.

'Digital arrest' refers to a cyber fraud scheme where scammers pose as law enforcement or regulatory agency officials and intimidate victims during WhatsApp video calls, falsely claiming the victims are implicated in criminal cases.

Preeti (44), a resident of Basaveshwaranagar in Bengaluru, received a WhatsApp call from cybercriminals who claimed to be officials from Mumbai Cyber Crime Police.

The scammers informed her about an alleged illegal money transfer from her bank account. They assured her they would send her money to the Reserve Bank of India for verification and return it to her account within 45 minutes. The fraudsters threatened her with arrest if she failed to transfer funds to their specified account.

"Through intimidation tactics, they managed to get the complainant to transfer a total of Rs 14 lakh from her HDFC Bank account to an unidentified YES Bank account, thereby committing fraud," according to police statements.

Later that evening, Preeti filed a police complaint. She also contacted the National Cyber Helpline (NCRP) at 1930 within the 'Golden Hour' to report the incident, police added.

Subsequently, a case was registered and an investigation was launched.

As a result of prompt action, authorities froze the funds transferred to the fraudster's account. On September 3, the 47th ACJM Court issued an order directing YES Bank to return the frozen amount to the complainant's account.

"Following the court order, the entire sum of Rs 14 lakh that was lost has been returned to the complainant," stated a press release.

Deputy Commissioner of Police of West Division, Girish S, informed reporters that efforts are ongoing to locate and apprehend the perpetrators.

He urged the public not to panic if they fall victim to such scams.

"If victims promptly report the incident to the National Cyber Helpline (NCRP) at 1930 (within the Golden Hour) and register a case at their nearest police station without delay, swift action can be taken to prevent financial losses," he emphasized.