A bank manager and police personnel thwarted an attempt to defraud ₹84 lakh from an elderly couple by ‘digitally arresting’ them in Mulki police limits on Wednesday.
Benedict Fernandes, 84, and his wife Cecilia Fernandes received a WhatsApp videocall on December 1 by a person claiming to be from the Uttar Pradesh Criminal Investigation Department. Stating that a case of cheating of ₹6 crore had been registered against the couple, the ‘officer’ said the two were under ‘digital arrest’.
The caller asked the couple to transfer amount in their bank account by stating that it was necessary for the investigation.
After confining the elderly couple in the house till December 2, the fraudsters asked the couple to visit Canara Bank’s Kinnigoli branch on Wednesday, and transfer the fixed deposit amount of ₹84 lakh to an account in Uttar Pradesh. Accordingly, the couple visited the bank and asked branch manager Royston to transfer ₹84 lakh from the fixed deposit account to their savings account and then transfer it to the account in Uttar Pradesh. When the manager asked for the reason, the couple said it was related to the purchase of a real estate property.
When the manager questioned further, the couple got angry and threatened the manager of a criminal case if he refused to act as per their directions. Mr. Royston immediately called head constables Yashwant Kumar and Kishore and expressed suspicion of ‘digital arrest’.
Soon after, the two head constables visited the house of the couple and found that the elderly couple were under ‘digital arrest’. Getting to know of the visit of the police, the fraudsters disconnected the video call. The policemen then called the bank manager and instructed him not to transfer the money.
The Mulki police registered a case of illegal confinement and attempt to defraud the elderly couple. Efforts are on to trace the fraudsters, the police added.
Published – December 04, 2025 10:26 pm IST
