Digital arrest scams in India are rapidly expanding by exploiting fear, trust, and emotional vulnerability. Pulitzer-winning journalists Suparna Sharma and Anand RK recently shed light on this growing menace through their acclaimed Bloomberg illustrated investigation, Trapped.
In an interaction with The Federal, the duo discussed how visual storytelling can strengthen journalism, the psychological manipulation behind digital arrest scams, and why many educated young Indians are getting drawn into cybercrime networks amid rising unemployment and economic pressure.
Rise of Illustrated Journalism
Speaking about Trapped, Sharma explained that journalism today must focus not only on strong reporting but also on engaging presentation styles, especially for younger audiences with shrinking attention spans. According to her, illustrated journalism makes complicated subjects easier to understand and more immersive for readers.
She humorously admitted that creating the project made the team “a little kuku” because of the intense effort involved. However, she maintained that innovative storytelling methods are essential for connecting with audiences who consume information quickly through scrolling and swiping.
Sharma said journalists now need to adapt to a generation that decides everything “in one second”, adding that experimentation in storytelling is necessary because young readers will eventually shape the nation’s future.
Reporting Rooted in Reality
Anand RK explained that the illustrations in Trapped were built on extensive field reporting rather than imagination alone. Even before the script was completed, the team visited Lucknow to closely observe the victim’s surroundings and gather visual references.
He said the reporters also accessed photographs from inside the victim’s home to ensure the visuals remained authentic and grounded in reality.
At the same time, Anand RK highlighted that illustrated journalism allows creative freedom that traditional documentaries often cannot achieve. For instance, when the victim was bombarded with fake legal notices on her phone, the team depicted her standing before a massive flood of documents — a symbolic representation that amplified the emotional impact of the scene.
Trust Became the Victim’s Weakness
The story revolves around neurologist Dr Ruchika Tandon, who became a victim of a digital arrest scam despite being highly educated and professionally accomplished.
Sharma described Tandon as intelligent and successful, but not particularly comfortable with digital technology. She revealed that the doctor was still using a Nokia keypad phone when the fraudsters first contacted her.
According to Sharma, the scammers even persuaded Tandon to purchase a smartphone to continue the operation. The journalist stressed that the victim’s downfall stemmed not from ignorance, but from trust and honesty.
Sharma explained that Tandon belonged to a generation that took pride in following rules and staying away from legal trouble. During the fake “digital arrest”, the scammers instructed her to isolate herself and falsely claim illness at work. However, Tandon reportedly resisted because she did not want to lie.
Recalling the incident, Sharma said the doctor repeatedly insisted that she had “never lied” in her life. She described Tandon as “a beautiful, simple, brilliant woman who just trusts people”.
The journalists also investigated the organised ecosystem operating behind these cyber frauds. Anand RK said the team initially wanted to present the story from the perspectives of scammers and law enforcement officials as well, because ending the narrative with the victim’s financial loss alone felt incomplete.
Sharma revealed that the investigation took the team to states such as Odisha and Bihar, where they met individuals linked to different departments within scam operations. She compared the system to a corporate setup with specialised divisions handling separate functions.
Among those connected to the network were former employees of HSBC, Axis Bank, and Bandhan Bank. The journalists also encountered a highly educated woman allegedly responsible for converting stolen money into cryptocurrency through peer-to-peer systems. Scammers reportedly referred to her as the “P2P aunty”.
Sharma explained that many digital arrest scams ultimately end with money being converted into cryptocurrency, making it difficult for authorities to trace the transactions. The reporters additionally found links to a former Aadhaar centre operator and an ex-Indian Navy employee within the scam network.
Sharma argued that rising unemployment and growing aspirations among India’s youth are contributing factors behind the rise of cybercrime.
According to her, many young people were promised opportunities and prosperity in a “New India”, but economic realities have failed to match those expectations. She believes scam networks are taking advantage of this frustration and desperation.
The journalist recounted the story of a scammer from a Mumbai slum who previously worked for Reliance Jio for Rs 13,000 a month despite holding an MCom degree and multiple diplomas. The man later moved to Cambodia, where he reportedly earned between Rs 60,000 and Rs 80,000 monthly at a scam operation.
Sharma remarked that India was effectively “exporting scammers”.
The discussion concluded with both journalists expressing hope that the recognition received by Trapped would help spread awareness about cyber fraud and digital arrest scams across the country.
