Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar / Haveri: In yet another alarming instance of rising cyber fraud across India, an elderly couple in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar was defrauded of ₹78.6 lakh by cybercriminals who impersonated IPS officer Vishwas Nangare Patil. The accused lured the victims by posing as the senior police officer on a video call and claimed their bank account was linked to terror-related financial activities.
The fraud took place between July 2 and July 7, during which the victims—one of whom is a retired government employee from the Divisional Commissioner’s Office—were subjected to repeated calls and psychological manipulation.
False ‘Digital Arrest’ Threat Used to Intimidate
The fraudsters told the couple that suspicious transactions amounting to ₹20 lakh had been detected from their bank account, which was allegedly linked to a terrorist’s account. To make their claim appear legitimate, they orchestrated a video call impersonating IPS Vishwas Nangare Patil, coercing the couple into cooperating under threat of arrest.
Falling prey to this elaborate scheme, the victims ended up transferring ₹78.6 lakh over six days.
A case has been filed at Kranti Chowk Police Station, and investigations are ongoing. Authorities have clarified that there is no legal concept such as a “digital arrest”, and urged the public to verify official identities before responding to such threats.
AI-Generated Trump Video Scam: Advocate Loses ₹6 Lakh
In a similar cybercrime case, an advocate from Haveri, Karnataka, was duped of ₹5.93 lakh after he was lured by an AI-generated video of former U.S. President Donald Trump, promoting a fake investment scheme titled “Trump Hotel Rentals.”
According to the complaint filed by Advocate Anil Mohan Bendre at the Haveri CEN Police Station, he came across the video on YouTube in January 2025 and followed a link directing him to download a mobile app. After entering his personal and banking details, he initially received small profits, which led him to invest more.
Between January 25 and April 4, the advocate deposited nearly ₹6 lakh into multiple accounts and digital wallets, some of which were in his wife’s name. Eventually, the returns stopped, and he was unable to recover the amount. Police have since frozen ₹1.5 lakh traced to the fraudsters’ accounts.
Authorities Urge Vigilance
Both cases highlight the growing sophistication of cybercriminals, who now employ deepfake videos, impersonation, and emotional manipulation to defraud victims. Law enforcement agencies have appealed to the public to:
- Avoid clicking on suspicious links or downloading unknown apps.
- Verify identities in case of unexpected communication from “officials.”
- Be skeptical of too-good-to-be-true investment schemes online.
Report cyber fraud immediately to the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal (www.cybercrime.gov.in).
