Pune Woman Loses ₹51 Lakh In ‘Digital Arrest’ Scam; Fraudsters Posed As NIA Chief, Cited Pahalgam Terror Attack

A 57-year-old retired woman from Kothrud, Pune, lost ₹51.2 lakh in a shocking “digital arrest” scam after fraudsters impersonated top security officials.

The scammers posed as NIA chief Sadanand Date and an ATS chief, threatening her with arrest for allegedly sharing images of weapons used in the Pahalgam terror attack.

The fraudsters pressured her to transfer money into several so-called “government accounts” as part of a fake investigation, intimidating her over four days.

The ordeal began in the last week of September when she received a video call from someone claiming to be the ATS chief, who falsely claimed her mobile number was linked to distributing sensitive images from the Pahalgam attack.

Soon after, another scammer posing as NIA chief Sadanand Date contacted her, insisting she must complete a fabricated “fund legalisation process”.

Believing the threats, the woman transferred her savings, fixed deposits, and liquid assets into accounts the scammer falsely described as “government-authorised”.

Reported on: November 6, 2025, Thursday