Pune residents are falling prey to a sophisticated “digital arrest” scam, where fraudsters posing as law enforcement officials extort money by demanding payments in cryptocurrency and Amazon gift cards. The scam, which has already cost victims lakhs of rupees, is spreading rapidly, prompting urgent warnings from cybersecurity experts and the Pune Police.
The scam typically begins with a call from someone claiming to be a police officer, CBI agent, or even a courier company executive. The caller tells the victim that their name is linked to a crime—often citing fake evidence like illegal parcels, money laundering, or drug trafficking. The victim is then threatened with immediate digital arrest, legal action, or even jail time unless they cooperate.
Scammers use video calls with people dressed as police officers in fake uniforms, sometimes showing forged ID cards. Victims are asked to download apps or click on suspicious links, giving scammers access to their devices. Instead of traditional bank transfers, scammers now demand payments in cryptocurrency (like Bitcoin) or as Amazon gift card codes, making the money nearly impossible to trace.
One Pune-based IT professional shared her ordeal: “I got a call from someone claiming to be from the Mumbai Police. They said a courier with my name was seized containing illegal documents. They threatened to freeze my accounts and arrest me digitally unless I paid a ‘fine’ in Bitcoin. Out of fear, I transferred ₹1.5 lakh worth of cryptocurrency before realizing it was a scam.”
Another victim, a retired schoolteacher, was told to buy Amazon gift cards and share the codes over WhatsApp to “settle” fake charges. “They kept me on a video call for hours, showing fake police officers. I lost ₹80,000 in gift cards before my son intervened,” she recalled.
Pune Police have issued multiple advisories, urging citizens to stay alert and never share personal or financial information over the phone. “No police officer will ever demand money, cryptocurrency, or gift cards to avoid arrest,” said a senior cybercrime officer. “If you receive such a call, disconnect immediately and report it to the nearest police station or cybercrime helpline.”
