Pune Cyber Crime: Retired Officer Dies of Heart Attack After Losing ₹1.19 Crore in Digital Arrest Scam

A retired government officer in Pune died of a heart attack after fraudsters posing as CBI officials scammed him of ₹1.19 crore in a fake digital arrest case. Pune Cyber Police have launched an investigation.

Pune, October 30, 2025 – In a tragic case highlighting the growing menace of cybercrime, a retired government officer from Pune lost his life after being duped of ₹1.19 crore by online fraudsters posing as officials from the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and Mumbai Police. The victim, around 80 years old, suffered a fatal heart attack after realizing he had lost his entire life savings to a “digital arrest” scam.

The incident took place between August 16 and September 17, when the victim and his wife received calls from individuals claiming to be law enforcement officers. The callers alleged that the man’s bank account and Aadhaar number were linked to a money laundering case. They threatened the couple with immediate arrest unless they cooperated by transferring money for “verification.”

Under psychological pressure, the couple complied with the fraudsters’ instructions. They were kept on continuous video calls, warned not to disconnect, and made to transfer large sums in several transactions — ₹14 lakh on August 21, ₹30 lakh on September 8, ₹20 lakh on September 15, ₹30 lakh on September 17, and ₹25 lakh on September 18 — totaling approximately ₹1.19 crore. The con artists assured them that the money would be refunded once the investigation was over, which of course never happened.

When the retired officer later fell ill and went for medical treatment, he reportedly had no funds left to pay for his care. The emotional shock and financial distress from the scam are believed to have caused his fatal heart attack. His wife later filed an online complaint with the Pune Cyber Police, who have registered a case and begun investigating the fraud.

According to officials, this case is part of a rising trend of “digital arrest” scams across India. Cybercriminals impersonate police or government agencies, fabricate legal charges, and intimidate victims into transferring money under the pretext of resolving the issue. In Pune alone, dozens of such complaints have surfaced this year, many involving senior citizens and retired professionals.

Authorities have urged citizens to remain vigilant and remember that no legitimate agency will ever demand money, bank details, or video calls for investigations. Victims are advised to immediately hang up and report such calls to the nearest cybercrime unit or via the national helpline number 1930.

The tragic death of this retired officer has sparked renewed calls for stronger awareness campaigns and tighter digital fraud monitoring. Pune Police have reiterated that awareness and prompt reporting remain the most effective defenses against such scams.

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