EXPLAINED | Why are elderly becoming ‘easy’ targets of ‘digital arrest’ frauds? | Crime News
Elderly people are increasingly falling prey to “digital arrest” scams, where fraudsters impersonate law enforcement to extort money. Their vulnerability is pumped by limited digital literacy, fear of legal trouble, and manipulation.
Fraudsters impersonate law enforcement or government officials, often via phone or video calls, to intimidate their victims into transferring money. (Picture credit: Canva)
New Delhi: In recent times, elderly people have become prime targets for cyber frauds, especially “digital arrest”. Fraudsters impersonate law enforcement or government officials, often via phone or video calls, to intimidate their victims into transferring money.
This deceptive tactic has led to significant financial losses for senior citizens, with some even losing their life savings. The growing trend of cyber fraud schemes exploiting the elderly has raised concerns.
Cyber fraud cases linked to elderly
One such cyber fraud case involves a 75-year-old retired ship captain who lost a staggering Rs 11.16 crore in just four months. The fraudsters lured him with promises of lucrative stock market investments.
Initially, the captain saw profits in his online account, but when he attempted to withdraw his earnings, he was told to pay a 20% service tax fee. Realizing he had been scammed, the victim lodged a complaint with the police.
The fraudsters used multiple bank accounts to siphon off the money and even after the victim attempted to retrieve his funds, he was led down a trail of deceit. Investigations led to the arrest of Kaif Ibrahim Mansuri, who was found with 33 debit cards and 12 cheque books from various banks, which had been used to transfer large sums of the victim’s money.
In another case, a 77-year-old woman from Mumbai was kept under “digital arrest” for a month by cyber fraudsters who posed as law enforcement officers. The scammers initially told her that her Aadhaar card had been linked to a money laundering case, which led her to transfer Rs 3.8 crore to several bank accounts, as reported by PTI.
The fraudsters created a sense of urgency and manipulated her into believing that her cooperation would help clear her name. She only realized she had been duped when her daughter advised her to contact the police after suspecting foul play.
A similar tactic was used in the case of Aditya Kumar Jha, a 55-year-old retired Air Force official from Faridabad. The fraudsters impersonated officials from the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) and the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), claiming that Jha’s mobile number had been involved in illegal activities.
They pressured him into transferring a money, and when the transaction failed, they demanded that he travel to Bihar to complete it. Under immense pressure, Jha transferred over Rs 5 lakh, only realizing the fraud when his relative intervened, as reported by PTI.
Why elderly are vulnerable to digital arrest scams
Elderly people are particularly vulnerable to such scams for several reasons. One of the key factors is their trusting nature. Older adults, especially those not well-versed in digital literacy, often trust others easily and are more likely to believe fraudulent claims made by individuals who sound authoritative or official.
Many elderly people also fear legal trouble, which scammers exploit. When faced with threats of arrest or legal action, they may panic and comply with the fraudsters’ demands.
Additionally, the lack of awareness about cybercrime makes the elderly an easy target. Most elderly people have limited knowledge of modern online threats and may not recognize when they are being manipulated.
Moreover, some elderly people may experience social isolation, which makes them more likely to engage with strangers over the phone or online, unknowingly providing access to personal and financial information.
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