Digital Arrest Nightmare in Jamnagar: Retired Bank Employee Duped of Rs 42 Lakh by Cyber Fraudsters Posing as CBI and RBI Officials

JAMNAGAR — In a chilling reminder of the growing digital arrest scams sweeping the country, a 63-year-old retired bank employee in Jamnagar has been defrauded of Rs 42.25 lakh by cyber criminals posing as senior officials from the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), Reserve Bank of India (RBI), and data protection bodies.

The victim, Jayesh Parshottambhai Ozha, a resident of the Kisan Chowk area, fell prey to an elaborate 15-day intimidation campaign that left him isolated, terrified, and financially drained before he finally approached local authorities.

The Trap: Fake Cyber Terrorism and Money Laundering Charges

The ordeal began on the morning of October 10, 2026, when Ozha received an initial inquiry call instructing him to expect a follow-up. Moments later, a fraudster connecting via WhatsApp identified himself as Rahul Kulkarni, a senior executive with the Data Protection Board of India.

The caller accused Ozha of acquiring a mobile SIM card using his Aadhaar credentials, alleging that the number was actively being used to distribute obscene content and run illegal campaigns. When Ozha vehemently denied any involvement, the scammers ratcheted up the pressure. They ordered him to isolate himself in a separate room, strictly forbade him from speaking to family members, and threatened him with immediate arrest under national security laws if he breached their confidentiality demands.

The intimidation quickly escalated into a full-scale digital arrest scenario. The callers fabricated a case at Mumbai’s Colaba Police Station, implicating Ozha alongside 20 other individuals in severe financial crimes, including money laundering and terror funding. To cement the deception, the fraudsters flooded his phone with counterfeit legal notices, Supreme Court summons, and official-looking directives bearing the letterheads of premier investigative agencies and the RBI.

Extortion Under the Guise of "Verification"

Convinced that his reputation and freedom were on the line, the retired banker complied with the scammers' demands to prove his innocence. The cyber criminals insisted that he transfer his life savings into designated accounts for "state verification," promising the entire sum would be refunded once he was cleared of wrongdoing.

Over the course of a fortnight, the fraudsters manipulated Ozha through continuous audio and video calls, systematically draining his finances across multiple transactions. This included a forced transfer of Rs 3.15 lakh from his Central Bank of India account on October 12, alongside subsequent lump-sum transfers scaling up to Rs 10 lakh and Rs 17 lakh, culminating in a total loss of Rs 42.25 lakh.

It was only after continuous, grueling pressure and mounting financial demands that Ozha sensed something was deeply amiss. He finally broke his isolation, consulted his relatives, and realized he had fallen victim to a sophisticated extortion racket.

Police Investigation Underway

Following a formal complaint lodged by the victim, the Jamnagar Cyber Crime Police Station has registered an official First Information Report (FIR) under relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and the Information Technology Act.

Investigators are currently tracking the money trail across various bank accounts and analyzing digital footprints to unmask the syndicate behind the operation. Authorities have once again urged citizens to remain vigilant, reiterating that no law enforcement agency, judiciary body, or financial regulator like the RBI conducts interrogations or demands money transfers over video calls or digital platforms.

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