In the latest case of digital arrest, father of a senior IAS officer of 1998 batch from Punjab Vikas Garg fell victim and lost ₹58.5 lakh.
According to police, scammers impersonating CBI official “digitally arrested” and duped Jagdish Chander Garg, father of senior Punjab IAS officer Vikas Garg, currently serving as principal secretary, housing and urban development department, of ₹58.5 lakh.
How Garg was duped?
Garg received a call from an unidentified number. The caller, introducing himself as a CBI officer, displayed a forged ID card and other fake documents to establish credibility. Under pressure, Garg was forced to transfer ₹30.5 lakh to a Yes Bank account and ₹28 lakh to an IndusInd Bank account, resulting in a total loss of ₹58.5 lakh.
Later when Jagdish Garg reported the case to police, notices were issued to the banks concerned under Section 94 of the BNSS, following which account details and KYC documents were obtained.
Investigations revealed that the Yes Bank account was registered in the name of Sagar, a resident of Rishabh Tower, Karkardooma, East Delhi, while the IndusInd Bank account was in the name of Sajid Ahmed alias Gafar Patel.
The preliminary probe confirmed that the accused used forged documents and fake identity cards, impersonating CBI and other law enforcement officials, to extort money under the guise of a digital arrest.
Officials said efforts are underway to determine whether the bank accounts were opened using fraudulent documents and to identify the actual perpetrators behind the scam.
Vivek Shukla is a management graduate who has worked in corporate worked for 20 years and is now pursuing his passion — news.
