Retired Judge, 90, Scammed Out of ₹2.5 Crore in Digital Arrest Fraud

Authorities in Jaipur are investigating a sophisticated scam that targeted a 90-year-old retired district judge, allegedly defrauding him of around ₹2.5 crore. The victim was reportedly held in a "digital arrest" for approximately 15 days by individuals impersonating officials from the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and the Reserve Bank of India (RBI).

What Happened

The incident began on July 28 when the retired judge, Ganpat Singh Bhandari, received a WhatsApp video call from someone claiming to be a CBI officer. The caller alleged that Bhandari's bank account was linked to a ₹50-crore hawala transaction and that ₹40 lakh from these proceeds had been deposited into his State Bank of India (SBI) account. The fraudsters, who maintained constant contact through video calls, threatened Bhandari with arrest and potential implication of his family members, creating significant fear and pressure.

Between August 3 and August 10, Bhandari allegedly transferred approximately ₹2.5 crore to various bank accounts as instructed by the callers. The scam came to light when Bhandari visited an SBI branch to make another transfer, and the bank manager, growing suspicious of the circumstances, intervened. The manager alerted Bhandari to the possibility of cyber fraud, prompting the former judge to contact his nephew, who then filed a complaint with the Jyoti Nagar police station.

Key Facts

• A 90-year-old retired district judge in Jaipur, Rajasthan, was the victim of a scam.
• The victim was subjected to a 'digital arrest' for nearly 15 days.
• Fraudsters posed as Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and Reserve Bank of India (RBI) officials.
• The victim was allegedly threatened with arrest in connection with a purported ₹50-crore hawala transaction.
• The fraudsters allegedly demanded and received approximately ₹2.5 crore from the victim.
• The victim transferred funds to multiple bank accounts between August 3 and August 10.
• The scam was uncovered when an SBI bank manager became suspicious and stopped a further transaction.
• The victim's nephew lodged a complaint with the Jyoti Nagar police station.
• Police have managed to put approximately ₹14 lakh on hold.

Background

This incident follows a pattern of 'digital arrest' scams where fraudsters impersonate law enforcement or financial regulatory officials to intimidate victims into transferring money. These scams often exploit fear of legal repercussions and public embarrassment. Police are examining the bank accounts used in the transactions and are working to trace the perpetrators.