Retired District Judge falls victim to ‘Digital Arrest’ scam, loses ₹1 Crore

A 69-year-old retired district judge from Malkajgiri in Hyderabad has reportedly lost more than ₹1 crore after falling victim to a sophisticated “digital arrest” cyber fraud , police said on Monday.

According to investigators, the fraud began about a week ago when the retired judicial officer received a call from individuals posing as law-enforcement officials . The callers allegedly told him that his mobile phone number had been linked to serious crimes, including women trafficking and other illegal activities . They warned him that he could face immediate legal action unless he cooperated with their “investigation.”

Police said the fraudsters used intimidation and psychological pressure to convince the victim that he was under a form of “digital arrest.” In such scams, criminals impersonate officers from agencies such as the police, cybercrime units, or central investigative bodies. They often conduct fake video calls, display forged identification or documents, and claim that the victim’s bank accounts must be “verified” or “secured” during the investigation.

Fearing legal consequences and damage to his reputation, the retired judge reportedly transferred more than ₹1 crore to bank accounts provided by the callers . The deception came to light only later, after which he approached the police.

A complaint was registered three days ago , and a cybercrime investigation is currently underway to trace the perpetrators and track the financial trail.

Police officials noted that digital arrest scams rely heavily on fear and urgency , often targeting educated and financially stable individuals. Victims are threatened with arrest, money-laundering allegations, or other criminal charges and are pressured to make immediate payments.

Authorities have once again urged the public to remain cautious and verify any such claims directly with official agencies before transferring money.