Bengaluru — In another alarming case of “digital arrest” scams, Dr Preethi, wife of Rajya Sabha MP Dr K Sudhakar, was duped of Rs.14 lakh by fraudsters posing as Mumbai cyber police. Thanks to her quick action and timely intervention by police, the money was recovered within a week.
The Scam: False Allegations and Threats
On August 26, Dr Preethi received a call from 8942014859. The caller introduced himself as a Mumbai Cyber Crime officer and alleged that her identity documents were misused by a man named Sadbat Khan to obtain a credit card used for illegal activities in Vietnam, Cambodia, and Laos. The caller claimed Khan had been arrested and threatened to implicate her in the case. A photo of Khan’s supposed arrest was also shared to convince her.
Manipulation Through “Digital Arrest”
When Preethi denied involvement, she was told to speak with “senior officials.” Fraudsters connected her via WhatsApp video calls and informed her she was under “digital arrest”. They instructed her not to disclose the matter to anyone. Under the guise of investigation, they collected her personal details and documents, and tricked her into transferring Rs.14 lakh via RTGS, assuring her it was for “verification” and would be returned in 45 minutes.
- Victim: Dr Preethi, wife of MP Dr K Sudhakar
- Fraud Amount: Rs.14 lakh
- Date of Scam: August 26, 2025
- Money Recovered: September 3, 2025 (court order)
- Case Registered Under: IT Act, Sections 318 & 319 BNS
Realization and Police Action
Soon after the transfer, Preethi sensed something was wrong and approached police. A case was filed under relevant sections of the IT Act and BNS. The police quickly froze the funds, and on September 3, the court ordered the bank to return the money to her account.
Police Advisory
DCP (West) S Girish said immediate reporting helped recover the funds. “Victims of cyber fraud should not panic. Call the National Cyber Helpline 1930 within the golden hour and lodge a police complaint at once,” he advised.
Authorities have urged citizens to stay cautious against digital arrest scams, which rely on fear tactics, spoofed IDs, and fake video calls to extort money.
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