Noida Sector 137 couple alleges ₹58.30 lakh digital-arrest fraud

A Sector 137 couple told police they transferred ₹58.30 lakh in seven transactions after callers claimed the woman’s Aadhaar card and bank account were linked to a money-laundering case.

The couple told police that an unidentified man called their landline on August 11, presenting himself as a telecom company customer-care executive. The callers later contacted them on WhatsApp and allegedly threatened them with consequences while placing them under a so-called digital arrest.

Police said ₹44.50 lakh was transferred from the man’s account and ₹13.80 lakh from the couple’s joint account. The couple realised they had been cheated after the callers cut off contact.

The Cybercrime Branch registered a cheating case on Wednesday under provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and the Information Technology Act. Vijay Rana, station house officer at the Cybercrime Branch, said the investigation is under way.

Residents receiving such calls should avoid sharing financial information or transferring money, and contact police or their bank through verified channels.