Four Pune residents lose Rs 5 lakh to Rs 32 lakh each in digital arrest, fake challan and crypto frauds

Several cyber fraud cases have come to light in Pune, in which fraudsters allegedly used different methods to extort lakhs of rupees from people. These include threats of digital arrest, false drug-trafficking allegations, the lure of cryptocurrency investment and fake traffic challans.

The first case involves a 75-year-old woman from Karve Nagar, who was allegedly cheated of Rs 32 lakh by being threatened with arrest in connection with a financial scam linked to a Nashik bank. According to Warje police, the woman received a call from cyber fraudsters on November 6. The callers said a case had been registered against her in an alleged Rs 2 crore financial scam involving a Nashik bank. They also claimed the money from the scam had been sent to her bank account.

The fraudsters threatened the woman with what they called a digital arrest and said her property would be seized. To avoid arrest, they demanded money immediately. Under pressure, the woman sent Rs 32 lakh by RTGS to the fraudsters' bank accounts over two to three days.

After receiving the money, the fraudsters demanded more. The woman then grew suspicious and realised she had been cheated. A case has been registered at Warje police station. Crime Branch Police Inspector Suvarna Hulwan is investigating.

The second case involves a resident of Ambegaon Budruk, who was allegedly cheated of Rs 5.20 lakh after being threatened with arrest in a drug-trafficking case. According to a complaint filed at Bharati Vidyapeeth police station, the fraudsters contacted the victim posing as officials of the Department of Telecommunications in Delhi. They said his mobile number had been used in drug trafficking and threatened him with arrest.

Money was then demanded in the name of saving him from legal action. The victim sent Rs 5.20 lakh to the fraudsters' bank accounts. On realising he had been cheated, he approached the police. Crime Branch Police Inspector Rangrao Pawar is investigating.

In the third case, a young businessman was allegedly cheated of Rs 5.13 lakh after being promised big profits on cryptocurrency investment. According to a complaint filed at Bibwewadi police station, the fraudsters contacted him and presented an opportunity to invest in virtual currency. Trusting their promises, he sent money to the accounts they specified, but did not get the promised returns.

Bibwewadi police have registered a case. Senior Police Inspector Ashwini Satpute is investigating.

The fourth case involves a businessman living in a housing society on Pune-Satara Road, who was allegedly cheated of Rs 6.81 lakh through a fake traffic challan. According to a complaint filed at Swargate police station, the fraudsters sent him a fake challan for violating traffic rules and threatened legal action if he did not pay the fine.

The fraudsters allegedly obtained his bank account details and misused them to withdraw money from the account. The amount was later transferred to another bank account. Crime Branch Police Inspector Vikas Bharmal is investigating.

The incidents show that cyber criminals are increasingly relying on digital arrest threats, impersonation, fake investment schemes and bogus traffic challans to target unsuspecting people.