‘I was crying, begging for help’: YouTuber Ankush Bahuguna speaks out after 40-hour cyber scam 'digital arrest' ordeal

On Sunday, January 5, popular YouTuber and social media influencer Ankush Bahuguna revealed a chilling experience on Instagram, detailing how he became the victim of a digital arrest scam. Bahuguna, who had been absent from social media for three days, explained that he was held hostage by scammers for 40 hours, during which he lost both money and his mental well-being.

“I have been missing from social media and everywhere for the last three days, I was held hostage by some scammers for 40 hours… I have lost money, I have lost my mental health to this, I can’t believe this has happened to me,” Bahuguna said in his emotional Instagram post. He described the shock and confusion he felt as the scammers manipulated him into believing he was involved in serious criminal activities.

Bahuguna, who has a large following on social media, emphasised that his reason for sharing the ordeal was to raise awareness about such scams and protect others from falling victim to similar fraudulent tactics. “Sharing this, so others don’t have to go through what I went through. I feel so lucky to have friends with such strong instincts who noticed a change in my behaviour even when I was sending ‘I’m okay’ texts,” he said in the video.

How the Scam Began

The scam began unexpectedly when Bahuguna received an automated call shortly after returning from the gym two days ago. The call, originating from an international number beginning with +1, claimed that his courier delivery had been cancelled and instructed him to press zero for support. “It seemed like an international number. I picked it up without thinking much. It was an automated call that said your courier delivery had been cancelled. Press zero for support,” he explained.

Without thinking, Bahuguna pressed zero, which redirected the call to customer support. The person on the other end of the line told him that his name had been associated with a package that contained illegal items, which had been seized by customs. The caller claimed that Bahuguna was attempting to send the package to China.

“I got scared, I said I hadn’t sent anything,” Bahuguna recalled, but the scammers continued to escalate the situation. They told him that his Aadhar number and other personal details were connected to the package, and he was now under digital arrest. “This is a very serious crime, and now you will be under digital arrest,” the scammers allegedly told him.

Escalation and Isolation

The scammers’ tactics became more aggressive as they claimed that Bahuguna was involved in money laundering, drug trafficking, and other serious crimes. They told him he was a “prime suspect” in a “national case” and informed him that an arrest warrant had already been issued in his name. Bahuguna, increasingly alarmed, was then told that he had to speak with the police immediately.

“I was then told I don't have enough time to go to the police station and he will do me a favour by connecting directly to the police station,” Bahuguna explained. The call was transferred to a WhatsApp video call, where Bahuguna saw a police officer in uniform. The officer claimed that Bahuguna was involved in a series of illegal activities, which further heightened his panic.

The scammers' manipulation intensified as they isolated Bahuguna from the outside world. He was instructed to cut off all communication with his friends and family and to switch off all electronic devices in his house. “They extracted every possible information out of me,” he shared, describing how he was forced to comply with their demands.

Coercion and False Claims of Self-Custody

The situation grew even more dire as the scammers claimed that Bahuguna was under “self-custody.” He was told that he was not allowed to contact anyone, and he was kept on a video call with the scammers for the next 40 hours. “I was under self-custody... I was on a video call with them for 40 hours,” he said in the video, adding that the scammers prevented him from responding to messages or making any phone calls.

In one instance, the scammers directed him to a bank, instructing him to make “fishy” transactions. However, the transactions did not go through as the branch was closed. It wasn’t until a friend contacted him, warning him about the possibility of falling victim to a fraud, that Bahuguna realised he had been scammed.

Bahuguna acknowledged the impact of the scam on his mental health and urged others not to judge victims of such frauds. “Not everybody reacts the same way to panic. Instead of calling this stupid, make people around you aware of it,” he said in a follow-up comment. He also emphasised the need to stay vigilant and informed, as such scams are becoming increasingly prevalent.

“It’s very rampant, and instances like this are happening so much,” Bahuguna noted, adding that while some people might recognise the fraud immediately, others may not be so lucky. He concluded his post by encouraging everyone to spread awareness about digital scams and be cautious of any unexpected calls or messages, especially those involving threats or claims of illegal activity.

Digital scams like the one Bahuguna experienced have become increasingly common, with fraudsters using sophisticated techniques to deceive victims. Scammers often exploit personal information and use psychological manipulation to induce panic and coercion. The rise of digital platforms and social media has made it easier for these fraudsters to target individuals, including high-profile influencers and ordinary citizens alike.

As awareness of these scams grows, it is essential for individuals to be cautious and to recognise the warning signs of digital fraud. The experience of Ankush Bahuguna serves as a stark reminder of the importance of vigilance in protecting oneself from falling prey to such schemes.