Unlawful Hoax: Gujarat Medical Professional Swindled out of 190 Million Indian Rupees in Digital Arrest Fraud
In a shocking turn of events, a senior doctor from Gandhinagar, Gujarat found herself at the mercy of digital scammers in mid-March 2025. The scam, which could be one of the biggest cyber scams targeting an individual in India, resulted in a financial loss of Rs. 19.24 crore for the doctor.
The scammers, posing as public prosecutors, police sub-inspectors, notary officials, and telecom department staff, demanded the doctor's presence on video calls and tracked her movements. They used WhatsApp, Skype, and regular calls to contact her, meticulously planning the scam that left investigators in awe with its complexity and scale.
Each transaction was carried out under the illusion that the money would be returned after verification. The funds were transferred to 35 different bank accounts, with the doctor's account receiving Rs. 1 crore of the stolen funds. However, the remaining amount is scattered across multiple accounts, most of which were opened using forged documents or rented credentials.
The scammers used common tactics in digital arrest scams, such as impersonation, scare tactics, isolation, and extortion. They threatened the doctor with arrest or legal action if she did not cooperate, putting her on a continuous video call, telling her she was being "digitally arrested" and monitored, while instructing her not to contact anyone to isolate her mentally and emotionally.
The scammers then demanded money to "clear" the doctor's name, "verify" her identity, or "settle" the case, pressuring her to transfer large sums via UPI, cryptocurrency, or gift cards. They exploited her panic and helplessness to extort funds, sometimes keeping her on calls for hours or days.
Fortunately, the doctor alerted her family and lodged a complaint with the Gujarat CID on July 16. The calls related to the scam stopped abruptly in early July, and a 30-year-old businessman from Surat, Lalji Jayantibhai Baldaniya, was arrested in connection with the case. Baldaniya allegedly allowed the scammers to use his business account registered under Murlidhar Manufacturing.
Cybersecurity analysts advise people to verify the caller's identity if threatened legally over the phone and report such incidents to their local police. Individuals can protect themselves from such frauds by never responding to unsolicited calls or messages threatening legal action or demanding money, especially if the caller asks for personal or financial information. They should also understand that legitimate authorities do not demand immediate payments or ask individuals to stay on video calls to prove innocence.
Verifying claims independently by contacting official police, government, or bank helplines using numbers from trusted sources, not those provided in the suspicious call or message, is also crucial. People should be aware that scammers may use caller ID spoofing and forged identities to appear authentic.
Reporting any suspicious calls or messages immediately to local police and bank fraud departments within the "golden hour" — the first few hours after the fraud attempt — increases the chance of recovering funds and stopping the scam. Avoiding downloading any software or apps requested by unknown callers and not sharing OTPs or passwords under pressure also helps maintain rational thinking in stressful situations and reduce the risk of falling victim to digital arrest scams.
- The digital scam that targeted the senior doctor in Gandhinagar, Gujarat is a vivid example of how cybersecurity risks can intersect with general-news and crime-and-justice, emphasizing the need for individuals to be vigilant in an increasingly technology-driven world.
- In light of the recent cyber scam involving the senior doctor in Gujarat, it's crucial to relevantly educate oneself about potential threats, employing enhanced cybersecurity measures to safeguard personal and financial information, thereby reducing the chance of becoming a victim of cybercrime.
