• Source:JND
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Bengaluru News: Two women in Bengaluru were reportedly kept on a video call for nearly nine hours by cyber fraudsters who posed as Mumbai police officers. The scammers forced them to undress under the excuse of a “medical examination” and later threatened them using the recorded visuals.

The complaint, filed on July 19 at the East CEN Crime Police Station, came from a 46-year-old Bengaluru woman. She said the incident took place on July 17 when her childhood friend, an international instructor visiting India from Thailand, received a suspicious video call around 11 AM.

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The caller introduced himself as a police official from Colaba Police Station in Mumbai. The women were falsely accused of being involved in serious crimes such as money laundering, human trafficking and even murder linked to a so-called “Jet Airways scam”.

To make the claims appear genuine, the fraudsters shared correct details of the bank card and forwarded fake official-looking documents like an arrest warrant and a CBI notice. Believing the accusations and fearing arrest, the women followed the instructions and even transferred Rs 58,477 to a bank account provided by the scammers.

Later, the callers insisted a medical examination was necessary to check for body marks and tattoos. The women were told to strip and stay on the video call continuously as part of a supposed “digital and home arrest”. They were warned not to leave the house and were kept under control for nearly nine hours.

The complaint mentioned that the women were mentally pressured and threatened during the entire period. Eventually, one of the victims managed to message another friend for help. Following the friend's advice, they disconnected the call.

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Soon after, the fraudsters sent the visuals back to the women and began blackmailing them by threatening to post the videos online.

The police have filed a case under sections of the Information Technology Act and Section 318(4) (cheating) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.

“Digital arrest” is a new form of cybercrime where scammers pretend to be law enforcement and trap victims in video or phone calls. They use fear and isolation to extort money and gain control.

The investigation is ongoing.