Digital arrest: Noida woman loses ₹34 lakh after receiving fake ED notices

The criminals claimed that a parcel with her name on it, had been sent from Mumbai to Iran and sent her fake notices issued by the Enforcement Directorate

Published on: Nov 25, 2024, 06:06:07 IST

By HT News Desk

Prefer HTon Google

Share via

Copy link

A resident of Noida's Sector 41 was duped of ₹34 lakh after cyber criminals threatened her with fake notices by the Enforcement Directorate. They also faked the so-called digital arrest.

A woman residing in Noida was duped of ₹34 lakh in a digital arrest scam (Representational image)

The criminals claimed that a parcel with her name on it, had been sent from Mumbai to Iran, containing five passports, two debit cards, two laptops, 900 US dollars and 200 grams of narcotics.

Also Read: Digital arrest: Criminals extort ₹10 crore from retired Delhi engineer

The victim, Nidhi Paliwal, received a call from the fraudsters at around 10 pm on August 8, according to her complaint. They then sent her a complaint via WhatsApp and asked her to transfer ₹34 lakh.

She also received a Skype call from one of the criminals with their video switched off.

Also Read: ‘Stop, think, act’: Modi urges people to be aware about digital arrest tactics

The Gautam Buddha cyber crime police station have registered a case and started an investigation in the matter, Inspector-in-charge Vijay Kumar Gautam told PTI.

Also Read: Gang behind ‘digital arrest’ busted, 2 held

Inspector Gautam said the accused also sent two fake notices by the Enforcement Directorate (ED), in which serious allegations were made against the victim.

There has been a notable increase in the amount of “digital arrest” scams in the country over the past few months.

During the 115th episode of the ‘Mann Ki Baat’ radio programme, Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the issue and urged people to be aware about the psychological pressure tactics used by fraudsters.

"People from every class and age group fall victim to digital arrest. People have lost lakhs of rupees earned through their hard work, out of sheer fear. Whenever you receive such a call, don’t be scared. You should be aware that no investigative agency ever inquires like this through a phone call or a video call,” PM Modi had said.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
HT News Desk
Follow the latest breaking news, major developments and agenda-setting stories from India and around the world with the newsdesk at Hindustan Times. Operating round the clock, the desk brings together experienced editors, reporters and correspondents to deliver fast, accurate and contextual reporting across subjects that influence public policy, governance, business, society and international affairs. The HT News Desk covers politics, elections, government policies, the economy, business and markets, science and technology, the environment, law and order, infrastructure, education, climate issues and geopolitics, while closely tracking developments across states, institutions and global capitals. The team also leads coverage of major breaking news events, policy announcements, court proceedings, natural disasters, public emergencies and significant international developments. Reports published by the newsdesk are based on information gathered from reporters on the ground, official statements, government agencies, court records, regulatory filings, recognised institutions and other authoritative sources. Stories undergo editorial scrutiny and verification processes to ensure accuracy, fairness and relevance, and are updated as events evolve and additional information becomes available. Whether covering a key political decision in New Delhi, an economic policy shift affecting millions, a landmark court ruling or a major global event, the HT News Desk aims to provide readers with reliable, fact-based journalism that delivers not only the latest developments but also the context and analysis needed to understand their wider implications.Read More

Get the latest India News, breaking headlines and real-time updates from across the country. Stay informed about politics, government policies, crime, weather and major national developments.