Retired Soldier Falls Victim to 98 Lakh Rupee Cyber Fraud in Himachal Pradesh

Cyber fraudsters have allegedly defrauded a retired soldier in Bilaspur, Himachal Pradesh, of approximately 98 lakh rupees over a 15-day period by subjecting him to a 'digital arrest'. The perpetrators posed as officials from the CBI, RBI, and court, using fake video calls to simulate court proceedings and threatening arrest to coerce the victim into transferring funds. The police have registered a case and initiated an investigation. The victim was reportedly contacted between December 15 and December 30 and was falsely accused of involvement in a money laundering case linked to a fraudulent SIM card. He was pressured to stay indoors and refrain from communication, described by the fraudsters as 'digital arrest'. Fake court sessions were conducted via video call, with an individual impersonating a judge ordering the victim to deposit his assets. Threats of arrest warrants and lengthy prison sentences were used to instill fear, leading the victim to transfer large sums to various bank accounts. The cybercriminals also allegedly deleted call logs and other digital evidence from his phone to obstruct the investigation. An FIR has been filed at the Cyber Crime Police Station in Mandi, and authorities are actively pursuing the culprits.