Fraud Uncovered: A Doctor from Gujarat Fooled and Swindled Out of Rs. 19 Crores in a Digital Arrest Hoax
In a shocking turn of events, a senior doctor from Gandhinagar, Gujarat fell victim to a digital arrest scam in mid-March 2025. The scam, one of the biggest cyber scams targeting an individual in India, has been meticulously planned and has left investigators in awe of its complexity and scale.
The scam began with a call claiming the doctor's mobile number was linked to illegal activity and accusing her of money laundering. A 30-year-old businessman from Surat, Lalji Jayantibhai Baldaniya, was alleged to have allowed the scammers to use his business account, registered under Murlidhar Manufacturing, to transfer funds. Baldaniya's account received Rs. 1 crore of the stolen funds.
Over 103 days, the doctor was kept under digital surveillance and was forced to liquidate all possible sources of funds. Multiple individuals posing as public prosecutors, police sub-inspectors, notary officials, and telecom department staff contacted the doctor through WhatsApp, Skype, and regular calls. The scammers used psychological pressure, threats of jail, and harm to coerce the doctor into complying.
Common tactics in such scams include sudden calls or video calls from scammers posing as law enforcement, fake ID proofs and official-looking documents, and multiple transfers of large sums over days or weeks. The scammers in this case also used staged backgrounds and aggressive tones to appear authentic.
To protect oneself from such scams, it is advised to not trust unsolicited calls claiming legal trouble without verifying independently via official police or government contacts. One should never share personal or financial details on phone or video calls, avoid staying on unsolicited video calls of unknown origin, and inform family or friends immediately if such calls occur. Registering complaints with the Cyber Crime Police or local authorities is also crucial if targeted. Using official websites or contact numbers to verify any claims of investigation and avoiding transferring money or providing OTPs for such claims are essential precautions.
The Gujarat CID launched an investigation into this high-value cyber fraud. The calls related to the digital arrest scam stopped abruptly in early July. The doctor alerted her family and lodged a complaint with the Gujarat CID on July 16. The remaining amount remains scattered across multiple accounts, most of them opened using forged documents or rented credentials. Investigators are mapping the digital trail to identify other people involved in the scam.
The financial loss for the doctor was Rs. 19.24 crore. This case serves as a stark reminder of the need to stay calm, skeptical, and contact trusted sources when faced with such scams. The exploitation of fear and isolation to cloud victims' judgment is a common tactic used by scammers, and staying vigilant is the best defense against digital arrest scams.
In the aftermath of the major cybersecurity incident, it is evident that technology, though beneficial, can also be exploited for crime and injustice. The digital arrest scam, targeting a senior doctor in Gujarat, shed light on general-news issues involving cybercrime. The investigation into this high-value crime-and-justice case by the Gujarat CID highlighted the importance of staying skeptical and contacting trusted sources to avoid falling victim to such scams.
