In this report, a physician from Gujrat allegedly suffers a financial loss of 19 crores due to a digital arrest fraud incident. Details of the case are as follows:
In a shocking turn of events, a woman doctor from Gandhinagar, Gujarat, has fallen victim to one of India's largest known "digital arrest" frauds. Over a span of about three months from mid-March to June 2025, the cybercriminals managed to steal over Rs 19 crore from the doctor.
The scam began on March 15, 2025, when the doctor received a call falsely claiming objectionable content was linked to her phone. The caller threatened legal action for money laundering and even threatened to disconnect her phone connection. The doctor was subjected to psychological pressure and threats, which led her to transfer her savings into 30-35 different bank accounts.
The fraudsters coordinated their efforts using WhatsApp and video calls, posing as telecom officers, police sub-inspectors, public prosecutors, and a notary. They manipulated the doctor into sharing her whereabouts via video calls and disclosing her Aadhaar and banking credentials.
The criminals also exploited the doctor's trust, persuading her to liquidate investments, sell her house, and borrow against her gold jewellery to meet their demands. A large chunk of the stolen money remains unrecovered, having been dispersed across multiple accounts.
Authorities are relying on digital evidence to map out the full extent of the scam and are actively investigating to identify more gang members. The cybercrime unit of Gujarat CID began probing the case on July 16. One suspect, Lalji Jayantibhai Baldaniya from Surat, has been arrested. He admitted to providing his company’s bank account for money laundering and received about Rs 1 crore of the stolen funds.
The search for the masterminds is ongoing, and authorities are attempting to identify other members of the network behind the operation. The case stands out as possibly the longest-lasting and largest monetary digital arrest scam reported in India, showcasing the severity and sophistication of emerging cyber fraud tactics.
On a lighter note, Himani Jha, a tech news writer at our platform, has contributed to leading publications such as Times Network, Gadgets 360, and Hindustan Times Tech for the past five years. When not immersed in gadgets, she enjoys exploring the vibrant culinary scene, discovering new cafes and restaurants.
Smartphones and cybersecurity were utilised extensively in the digital arrest fraud that affected the woman doctor from Gandhinagar. The fraudsters used smartphones for communicating via calls and WhatsApp, and for conducting video calls, posing as telecom officers, police sub-inspectors, public prosecutors, and a notary. They also induced the victim to share her whereabouts and sensitive information such as Aadhaar and banking credentials through her smartphone. Their tactics, highlighted in the general-news and crime-and-justice sections, serve as a stark reminder of the growing complexity and severity of cyber frauds in India.
