In a chilling escalation of cybercrime, a 70-year-old woman in Dehradun was recently defrauded of ₹3.09 crore in a “digital arrest” scam that spanned several months. The victim was targeted via a video call by fraudsters posing as CBI officers, who falsely claimed her mobile number was linked to a ₹68 crore money-laundering case.
Under the threat of immediate imprisonment and harm to her children, the victim was kept under constant surveillance via video calls—a psychological tactic known as digital house arrest. Trapped in a state of fear, she liquidated her FDs, sold her shares, and even mortgaged her jewelry to transfer funds into “safe” accounts provided by the criminals. The matter only came to light when she finally approached the Cyber Police on February 20, 2026.
Forensic Relevance: Decoding the Digital Trail
This case highlights a critical shift in forensic investigation priorities for 2026:
- Deepfake & Audio Forensics: Modern digital arrests often employ AI-generated “deepfake” avatars or voice-cloning technology to mimic high-ranking officials. Forensics now focuses on spectral analysis of audio and pixel-consistency checks in video to detect synthetic artifacts that indicate manipulation.
- The “Mule Account” Labyrinth: Investigators are using Link Analysis Software to trace the flow of the stolen ₹3 crore. These funds are typically “layered” across hundreds of mule accounts within minutes. Forensic accounting is essential to identify the ultimate “cash-out” points, often located in cross-border hubs.
- Metadata & Spoofing Analysis: Cyber-forensic experts are analyzing the VoIP headers and SIP (Session Initiation Protocol) logs to bypass caller ID spoofing, aiming to pinpoint the geographical origin of the calls, which MHA reports suggest often stem from Southeast Asian “scam compounds.”
Stay Safe: Remember, no Indian law enforcement agency will ever “arrest” you over a video call or ask for money to “settle” a case. Report any such calls immediately to 1930.
