Fraud Warning: A Doctor in Gujarat Falls Victim to Digital Arrest Scam, Losing Rupees 19 Crores
In a shocking turn of events, a senior doctor from Gandhinagar, Gujarat lost a staggering Rs. 19.24 crore in a digital arrest scam in mid-March 2025. The case, which has left investigators baffled, could be one of the biggest cyber scams targeting an individual in India.
The scam began with a call claiming the doctor's mobile number was linked to illegal activity. The caller, posing as a police officer, threatened to suspend the doctor's phone services and initiate legal action if she did not comply. Over the next 103 days, the doctor was kept under digital surveillance, forced to liquidate fixed deposits, sell gold ornaments, take loans against her gold, and sell a property to meet the demands of the scammers.
The scammers, who impersonated public prosecutors, police sub-inspectors, notary officials, and telecom department staff, transferred the funds to 35 different bank accounts. Authorities arrested a 30-year-old businessman from Surat, Lalji Jayantibhai Baldaniya, who allegedly allowed the scammers to use his business account, registered under Murlidhar Manufacturing.
The remaining amount remains scattered across multiple accounts, most of them opened using forged documents or rented credentials. The Gujarat CID continues its efforts to recover the stolen money, and investigators are mapping the digital trail to identify other people involved in the scam.
Digital arrest scams have become increasingly common in India, with cases rising sharply from about 39,925 reported in 2022 to 1,23,672 in 2024, and total financial losses growing from ₹91.14 crore to approximately ₹1,935 crore during the same period. To protect themselves from such frauds, individuals can take the following steps:
- Verify the identity of callers: Authorities advise verifying the caller’s identity independently rather than trusting unsolicited calls purportedly from law enforcement agencies.
- Do not panic or succumb to pressure: Scammers rely on fear and urgency; staying calm and assessing the situation helps avoid rash decisions.
- Avoid sharing personal or banking details: Never disclose sensitive financial information or OTPs over calls or messages.
- Do not transfer money to unknown accounts: Payments demanded under pressure for “security deposits” or to “clear charges” are usually fraudulent.
- Report suspicious incidents promptly: Use platforms like cybercrime.gov.in to report scams and check suspect databases.
- Stay informed about scam tactics: Awareness of common scam methods reduces the likelihood of falling victim.
The Indian government has taken measures including the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C) and specialized cyber fraud mitigation teams collaborating with banks and telecom providers to track and prevent these crimes.
The cyber scam that targeted the senior doctor from Gandhinagar points to a significant increase in digital arrest scams in India, raising concerns in the realm of cybersecurity. one must now prioritize verifying the identity of callers, avoiding sharing personal or banking details, and promptly reporting suspicious incidents to prevent falling victim to such fraudulent activities, as highlighted in general-news and crime-and-justice. In conjunction with this, technology advancements necessitate a collective effort from the government, telecom providers, and banks, with institutions like the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C) working diligently to tackle these cybercrimes and ensure secure online transactions for all citizens.
