- By Srishti Pandey
- Sun, 05 Jan 2025 11:44 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
Social media influencer and YouTuber Ankush Bahuguna recently opened up about a harrowing experience where he was held under "digital arrest" for nearly 40 hours. Sharing his story on Instagram, Bahuguna revealed how he fell victim to a cyber scam involving fake international authorities and accusations of crimes he was unaware of.
Bahuguna recounted receiving a suspicious call from an international number after returning from the gym. The automated call claimed his courier delivery had been canceled and prompted him to press zero for support. This seemingly routine interaction soon turned into a nightmare.
The caller, posing as a police officer, accused him of sending illegal packages to China. They claimed his name and Aadhaar number were linked to a package seized by customs and that an arrest warrant had been issued in his name.
Frightened by the accusations, Bahuguna was coerced into staying on a video call for 40 hours under the guise of protecting his loved ones. The scammer even instructed him to stay in a hotel for "safety" and attempted to extort money from him.
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Thankfully, the influencer's bank transaction failed due to technical issues, preventing him from transferring money to the scammer. During this time, Bahuguna managed to read a warning text from a friend about such scams, which helped him realize the truth and escape the situation.
The ordeal left Bahuguna and his friends shaken. He described the experience as traumatic, emphasizing how his sudden disappearance caused panic among his close circle. In his Instagram video, Bahuguna urged his followers to stay vigilant and informed about such cyber frauds. He shared his story to spread awareness and prevent others from falling prey to similar scams.
Fans and followers flooded social media with messages of support for the influencer. One user wrote, “More love to you! Please rest now. You’re not stupid; this has happened to many people. When you’re in it, you don’t even realize it’s a scam. Take care of yourself!”
Bahuguna concluded by expressing gratitude for his friends, whose instincts helped him during the crisis. “I feel lucky to have friends who noticed a change in my behavior even when I was sending ‘I’m okay’ texts,” he said.