TGCSB helps senior citizen recover ₹85 lakh in digital arrest scam

The Telangana Cyber Security Bureau (TGCSB) has successfully recovered the full amount of ₹85.20 lakh stolen from an 85-year-old retired bank employee in a sophisticated digital arrest scam. The victim, a resident of Neredmet police station limits in Malkajgiri Commissionerate, was targeted in a call on August 21, 2026, by a fraudster posing as an officer from the National Investigation Agency (NIA).

The scammer, speaking in Telugu and appearing on a video call dressed in uniform, falsely claimed the victim's Aadhaar details had been misused by Abdul Salam to open fraudulent bank accounts and conduct transactions totaling nearly ₹2.50 crore in Karnataka and Kerala. The caller threatened legal action and claimed uniformed police would arrive at the victim's home if he spoke about the matter.

Reluctantly, the victim transferred ₹85,20,000 to the fraudster's bank account, believing it was for "RBI verification" which would be refunded. The scam escalated when the caller demanded an additional ₹42 lakh, making the victim suspicious and leading him to his bank. The bank informed him of the fraudulent activity, and he filed a complaint on the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal.

The TGCSB officers quickly traced the money, froze the suspect's account, and secured the entire defrauded sum. The case has now been transferred to the Cyber Crime Police Station in Malkajgiri for further legal action.