Vadodara Businessman Loses ₹1.53 Cr in Digital Arrest Scam

A 59-year-old Vadodara businessman, Devendra Dimri, and his mother lost ₹1.53 crore in a sophisticated ‘digital arrest’ scam. Fraudsters impersonated SBI officials and Mumbai Cybercrime police to coerce them into transferring investments under false threats of arrest for alleged money laundering.

The elaborate fraud commenced on July 31, 2026, when Dimri’s mother received a call from an individual falsely claiming to be an SBI official. This caller reported a fraudulent credit card transaction, setting the stage for the subsequent deception.

Following this initial contact, Dimri was subjected to a video call by a person in a police uniform, identifying himself as Sunil Kumar, a sub-inspector with the Mumbai Cybercrime police. This imposter accused Dimri of involvement in a money-laundering case and issued threats of immediate arrest. To further their scheme, the fraudsters dispatched forged letters, purportedly from the CBI and the RBI, to intensify pressure on Dimri.

Under continuous video surveillance, Dimri was compelled to disclose details of his investments, which included mutual funds, various bank accounts, and fixed deposits. He was then instructed to transfer these funds to specific bank accounts provided by the criminals. Over several days, Dimri transferred a total of ₹1.53 crore as per their explicit instructions.

The scammers even attempted to pressure Dimri into securing a loan against his mother’s house. The elaborate fraud was eventually exposed on August 18, 2026, when a friend of Dimri’s father noticed the persistent video calls. This friend alerted the family, bringing the ongoing deception to light.

Following the revelation, Devendra Dimri promptly lodged a formal complaint with the cybercrime helpline. This incident underscores the persistent threat of ‘digital arrest’ scams targeting individuals’ financial assets through sophisticated impersonation tactics.