A Haridwar couple allegedly lost ₹50 lakh after cybercriminals used threats of a “digital arrest” to pressure them into transferring their savings. The callers claimed to be police and Enforcement Directorate (ED) officials and warned that the couple would be implicated in a criminal case.

The couple were told they were under arrest inside their own home and could not meet or speak with anyone without permission. Fearing legal action, they broke a fixed deposit and transferred the money to a bank account provided by the callers.

The woman later reported the suspected fraud to Dehradun Cyber Crime Police Station. Police have registered an FIR based on her complaint and started an investigation.

How the alleged fraud unfolded

According to the complaint, the woman’s husband received a phone call on 14 October. The caller claimed that an account had been opened at Canara Bank in Delhi’s Daryaganj using the man’s Aadhaar card.

The caller further alleged that ₹6 crore 80 lakh had moved through that account in a case connected with Naresh Goyal, the former owner of Jet Airways. The caller also claimed that the husband’s Aadhaar details had been used for an ATM card linked to the alleged transactions.

The couple were then contacted by other people who began questioning them. Under the pretext of completing a form, the callers collected personal and banking information. They also got the husband to create an account on the imo messaging app.

The following day, another caller allegedly posed as an ED officer. The couple were threatened with court proceedings and told that they would not receive bail. The callers also instructed them not to contact anyone, reinforcing the threat that they were already under “house arrest”.

Police investigation begins

The complainant approached the cyber police after suspecting that the calls were part of a fraud. She requested that the transferred money be recovered and that action be taken against those involved.

Cyber police station in-charge Devendra Nabiyal said police had registered a first information report on the basis of the complaint. The investigation is now underway. The available complaint does not establish that the callers were genuine police or ED officials, and no arrest has been reported.

The case highlights how criminals can combine claims about identity documents, bank accounts and high-value investigations with threats of immediate arrest. In this incident, the alleged pressure resulted in the couple breaking their fixed deposit and sending the money to an account specified by the callers.

Conclusion

The Haridwar couple’s complaint concerns an alleged ₹50 lakh digital-arrest fraud involving impersonation of police and ED officials. Dehradun Cyber Crime Police Station has registered an FIR, and the investigation will determine who made the calls and where the transferred money went.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. How much money did the Haridwar couple allegedly lose?

They allegedly transferred ₹50 lakh after breaking a fixed deposit.

Q. What threat did the callers use?

The callers allegedly threatened the couple with arrest, court proceedings and denial of bail. They also claimed the couple were under arrest at home.

Q. Whom did the callers claim to represent?

They allegedly posed as police officials and Enforcement Directorate officers.

Q. What case did the callers mention?

They claimed the couple’s details were linked to a ₹6 crore 80 lakh transaction involving a case connected with former Jet Airways owner Naresh Goyal.

Q. When did the alleged fraud begin?

The woman’s husband reportedly received the first call on 14 October.

Q. Where was the complaint filed?

The woman filed the complaint at Dehradun Cyber Crime Police Station.

Q. What action has police taken?

Police have registered an FIR based on the complaint and begun an investigation.