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New Indian Express
a day ago
- New Indian Express
There is no such thing as digital arrest, say Karnataka cops
BENGALURU: As technology evolves, so do crimes. As cybercrime is on the rise in Karnataka, recent cases show people are losing their lives to what is being called 'digital arrest'. In the most recent case, a 30-year-old BESCOM contract employee died by suicide after falling prey to such a scam. In March, an elderly couple in Belagavi also ended their lives in similar circumstances. According to police data, 147 cases of digital arrest have been reported in Karnataka up to May this year, compared to 445 cases in 2023. Fraudsters impersonate officials from CBI, Income Tax, or Customs, etc and contact victims through phone or video calls. They claim the victim has committed a crime such as tax evasion, receiving illegal parcels, or financial fraud. Victims are then threatened with arrest unless they pay money immediately. However, police clarified that 'digital arrest' is not a recognised legal term. 'There is no such thing as a digital arrest in policing,' a senior officer said. 'Police arrest a person physically, inform them of the charges, allow them to contact family, and produce them before a magistrate within 24 hours.' The fraudsters exploit fear. They send fake IDs, badges, FIRs, and arrest warrants via WhatsApp. In some cases, they even create fake police station backgrounds during video calls to appear legitimate. Victims are often coerced into remaining under 'house arrest' while the fraudsters extort money through digital payments. 'If someone calls or messages you claiming to be a government official, don't panic. Hang up and directly contact the concerned agency to verify,' the officer said. The police have urged the public to call the Cybercrime Helpline 1930 for cyber fraud-related issues or Namma 112 to report threats or suspicious activity. Things not to do Avoid answering calls from non- +91 numbers Do not accept video calls from unknown contacts Don't share OTPs, bank details, Aadhaar, or UPI PINs Don't disclose address, passwords, or personal documents No real police officer will threaten arrest via phone or video call
New Indian Express
2 days ago
- General
- New Indian Express
Despite surplus power, outages back in Bengaluru
BENGALURU: While the State Government maintained there is surplus power and no power cuts, Bengalureans say otherwise. They pointed that scheduled and unscheduled power outages are back in the tech-capital. The BESCOM and the KPTCL have been issuing regular statements listing the areas for power cuts due to maintenance works. Engineers of the two departments also admitted that apart from the listed areas, power cuts happen in other areas due to sudden works to be taken up. They also admit to lack of coordination between the two departments for the power cuts. However, most parts of Bengaluru west and south-west complain of power outages on a daily basis. 'We had no power supply from 9 am to 7.30 pm on Friday. Multiple complaints were raised but there was no respite,' said Mohanlal M, a resident of Kengeri. Similar was the complaint of Nirmala K, a resident of Magadi Road. She added that power supply was intermittent on Saturday from 6 am. 'The staffers said that power supply was cut due to technical issues. But they were unable tell by when it will be restored,' she added. A senior KPTCL official, not wanting to be named, said, 'Due to increasing load on the transformers and feeders, a decision with BESCOM has been taken to switch off power supply across all 16 feeders in the city, for an hour each, in a phased manner. A schedule has been fixed for it. We get maximum complaints from consumers under Bayadarahalli feeder, which supplies power to domestic and industrial consumers in west Bengaluru, including Peenya 2nd stage. In other areas power outages are due to over loading and technical issues.'
New Indian Express
5 days ago
- New Indian Express
BESCOM contract worker dies by suicide after fake CBI officer extorts Rs 11 lakh using ‘digital arrest' threat
BENGALURU: A 48-year-old BESCOM contract employee died by suicide after being repeatedly threatened and extorted of nearly Rs 11 lakh over a fortnight by a person claiming to be a CBI officer. Similar to the 'digital arrest' modus operandi of cyber crooks, the accused extorted the victim by threatening that there was an arrest warrant against him. The victim, K Kumara, was found hanging from a coconut tree at his native Kelegere village of Channapatna taluk on Tuesday. He was staying at HSR Layout in the city with his wife and an eight-year-old son. A suicide note, purportedly written by him mentioned the name and mobile phone number of the accused. However, there was no mention of what charges the fake officer levelled against him. A police officer said the victim received a phone call from a person identifying himself as Vikam Goswamy from the CBI. The accused told Kumara that he had to pay money if he wants to prevent his arrest. 'Kumara initially paid Rs 1.95 lakh. Kumara kept transferring more money, amounting to Rs 11 lakh in total, to the bank accounts of the accused. When the accused demanded that he transfer Rs 2.75 lakh more, Kumara, not knowing what to do, left for his village on Monday, telling his wife that he was going there for some work. He had never discussed the threats with anyone,' said an officer. In the death note, Kumara stated that he was ending his life because of the harassment and also due to ill health. The victim's wife told the police that her husband was heard speaking to someone in Hindi and was had been nervous since the last fortnight. The MK Doddi police have registered a case under Section 108 of the BNS.
Indian Express
6 days ago
- Indian Express
BESCOM employee ends life after losing Rs 11 lakh to digital arrest
A 48-year-old Bengaluru Electricity Supply Company (BESCOM) employee died by suicide Tuesday after allegedly losing Rs 11 lakh to a digital arrest scam on the outskirts of Bengaluru. Kumara K, a resident of HSR Layout in Bengaluru and a native of Kelagere village in Ramanagara district, was married and had an eight-year-old son. He was found dead at the Kelegere village in the Channapatna in the Ramanagara district, and a purported suicide note recovered from his pocket revealed that he was a victim of a cybercrime. According to the probe, it was revealed that two weeks ago, Kumara received a call from someone claiming to be Vikram Goswami of the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). The caller allegedly threatened that an arrest warrant had been issued against Kumara and demanded money to resolve the matter. While the specific accusations remain unclear, digital arrest scams typically involve false charges of drug smuggling, money laundering, or other serious crimes. Under stress and fearing for his family's safety, Kumara initially transferred Rs 1.95 lakh to the fraudster, who allegedly demanded more money as time went on and continued to pressurise him through continuous surveillance threats and house arrest warnings. Despite paying Rs 11 lakh into bank accounts provided by the fake CBI officer, the fraudster allegedly demanded an additional Rs 2.75 lakh. Kumara's wife told police that for 15 days before his death, he had been speaking in Hindi over the phone, appearing visibly frightened and distressed. On the afternoon of July 14, Kumara left his Bengaluru home, telling his wife only that he was visiting his hometown for some work and never returned. The MK Doddi police in Channapatna Rural Circle registered a case under Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita Section 108 (abetment of suicide) and initiated a probe. An elderly couple in the Belagavi district of Karnataka recently died by suicide in a similar digital arrest case. On March 27, Diogjeron Nazareth, 83, and his wife, Flaviana Nazareth, 78, were found dead at their house. Diogjeron had left a purported death note, stating that he was trapped by cyber criminals in the disguise of the Mumbai crime branch to extort money. Diogjeron Nazareth allegedly transferred Rs 59.63 lakh to 22 bank accounts across multiple states. The police later arrested Chirag Jeevaraj Bhai Lakkad, a resident of Surat in Gujarat, in connection with the case.
Hans India
6 days ago
- Hans India
BESCOM Contract Worker Takes Own Life After Losing Rs 11 Lakh To Fake CBI Cyber Fraud
A tragic case of cyber fraud has claimed the life of a 42-year-old BESCOM contract employee who succumbed to the psychological pressure of online extortion in Karnataka's Ramanagara district. The victim, identified as Kumar, worked at the electricity board's HSR Layout office in Bengaluru and was discovered hanging from a tree in Kelagere village within Channapatna taluk. The devastating incident unfolded after Kumar became the target of sophisticated cyber criminals who employed psychological manipulation and threats to extract money from him. The fraudsters used a calculated approach, with one individual identifying himself as Vikram Goswami and claiming to represent the Central Bureau of Investigation. Kumar's detailed suicide note revealed the extent of the harassment he endured from these cybercriminals. The imposter convinced Kumar that he was facing a "digital arrest" and that law enforcement authorities had issued an arrest warrant against him. This fabricated scenario was designed to create panic and urgency, making the victim more susceptible to the fraudster's demands. The criminal demanded immediate financial payments to prevent Kumar's supposed arrest, providing multiple bank account numbers for money transfers. The fraudster's approach was systematic and relentless, maintaining constant pressure on the victim through repeated contact and threats. This persistent harassment ultimately led Kumar to transfer Rs 11 lakh across various accounts as instructed by the imposter. The psychological impact of this continuous extortion proved overwhelming for Kumar, who found himself trapped in a web of deception and fear. His suicide note detailed how the constant harassment from the cyber fraudsters became unbearable, ultimately driving him to take his own life as the only escape from the torment he was experiencing. Law enforcement agencies responded promptly to the discovery of Kumar's body, with officers from the MK Doddi Police Station in Channapatna conducting an initial investigation at the scene. A formal case has been registered in connection with the incident, and authorities have taken steps to ensure a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding the death. The case has been transferred to the Cyber Crime Police Station for specialized handling, recognizing the digital nature of the fraud that led to this tragedy. This transfer ensures that investigators with specific expertise in cybercrime will handle the case, potentially improving the chances of tracking down the perpetrators and preventing similar incidents. This incident highlights the growing sophistication of cyber fraud schemes targeting ordinary citizens across India. The use of fake government authority, particularly impersonating central investigative agencies, has become a common tactic employed by cybercriminals to intimidate victims and extract money from them. The case underscores the urgent need for greater public awareness about such fraudulent schemes and the importance of verifying any claims made by individuals claiming to represent government agencies. Legitimate law enforcement agencies do not conduct arrests through phone calls or demand immediate financial payments to resolve legal issues. The tragic loss of Kumar's life serves as a stark reminder of the real-world consequences of cybercrime, extending far beyond financial loss to encompass devastating psychological impacts on victims. The constant stress and fear generated by such harassment can have severe mental health implications, as demonstrated by this heartbreaking case. As the investigation continues, authorities are working to trace the digital footprints left by the fraudsters and identify the individuals responsible for this elaborate scheme. The case will likely contribute to ongoing efforts to strengthen cybersecurity measures and develop better protection mechanisms for potential victims of similar crimes. This incident emphasizes the importance of immediate reporting to authorities when faced with suspicious communications claiming to be from government agencies, rather than succumbing to the pressure and demands of potential fraudsters.
