A Bengaluru businessman, Ajit Gopalakrishna Saraf from Belagavi, fell victim to a sophisticated cyber fraud orchestrated by imposters posing as Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) officials, resulting in a staggering loss of Rs 15.45 crore. The scam unfolded through a single phone call that escalated into a prolonged "digital arrest," exploiting the victim's fear of legal repercussions. Reported on April 11, 2026, by NDTV, this incident highlights the growing menace of impersonation frauds targeting professionals in India's tech hub.
The ordeal began when Saraf received a call from a fraudster masquerading as CBI Director K. Subramanyam. The caller alleged that two SIM cards registered in Saraf's name were linked to Jet Airways founder Naresh Goyal, who had been arrested. Further, the scammer claimed investigations revealed Saraf had laundered Rs 25 lakh from his Canara Bank account in association with Goyal, earning a commission, and threatened immediate arrest unless he cooperated.
Under intense psychological pressure, Saraf endured a "digital arrest," where fraudsters kept him confined virtually, coercing compliance through threats of imprisonment. Panicked, he transferred Rs 15.45 crore via multiple Real Time Gross Settlement System (RTGS) transactions from February 7 to March 9, 2026, draining his life savings. Police noted the victim's compliance stemmed from sustained manipulation, a hallmark of such scams.
Realizing the deception, Saraf approached Bengaluru's Cyber Crime Police Station to file a complaint, triggering an investigation. Authorities identified at least 10 primary beneficiary bank accounts spread across Hyderabad, Delhi, Punjab, Haryana, Gujarat, and West Bengal, pointing to an organized inter-state cybercrime syndicate. Efforts are ongoing to trace the perpetrators, freeze accounts, and recover funds.
This case underscores the rising threat of "digital arrest" scams in Bengaluru, where fraudsters impersonate agencies like CBI to extract huge sums. Victims often face months of surveillance via calls or video, as seen in similar incidents like a techie's Rs 32 crore loss.Authorities urge verifying official communications directly and reporting suspicions immediately to curb these networks.