Mangaluru man gets call about SIM card misuse; one mistake makes him lose Rs 2,07,04,600 in a few weeks

A shocking case of cyber fraud has emerged from Mangaluru, where a 61-year-old man was allegedly cheated of over Rs 2 crore in a sophisticated “digital arrest scam”. According to a report by TOI, fraudsters posing as officials from central agencies such as the NIA and Enforcement Directorate (ED) manipulated and intimidated the victim into transferring large sums of money over several days.

How the Mangaluru Digital Arrest Scam Began

As per the complaint filed at the Mangaluru City CEN police station, the incident began on March 31 when the victim received a call from an unknown number. The caller, speaking in English, introduced himself as an official from the “National Data Protection Centre” and claimed that the victim’s identity card had been misused.

The fraudster alleged that a Mumbai-based individual had used the victim’s ID to purchase a SIM card, which was then reportedly being used for illegal activities. These included making threatening calls, circulating obscene content, and even involvement in drug trafficking.


This initial claim was designed to alarm the victim and set the stage for further manipulation.

Fake FIR Threats and Agency Impersonation

The scam quickly escalated as the caller claimed that between 30 and 50 FIRs had been registered against the victim at Colaba police station in Mumbai. He further warned that central agencies such as the National Investigation Agency (NIA) and the Enforcement Directorate (ED) would soon verify his details.

Soon after, the victim began receiving WhatsApp calls from multiple numbers. The callers identified themselves as officials from the NIA, including a person claiming to be “Sandeep Rao”. He was then connected to another individual posing as a senior officer, “Mathew”, allegedly holding the rank of ADGP.

To make the scam appear more credible, the victim was asked to share personal details, including his biodata, as part of a supposed verification process.

Psychological Pressure and False Terror Charges

The fraudsters intensified the pressure by accusing the victim of being involved in serious crimes, including terrorism. They claimed that official records showed he was a “major criminal” with multiple cases registered against him.

This tactic, often referred to as a “digital arrest scam”, relies heavily on fear and urgency. Victims are made to believe they are under investigation and must comply immediately to avoid arrest.

In this case, the fraudsters allegedly threatened the victim with legal consequences unless he cooperated fully with their instructions.

Rs 2 Crore Transferred in Phases

Under continuous intimidation, the victim was coerced into transferring money in multiple instalments. Between April 7 and April 18, he transferred a staggering Rs 2,07,04,600 to various bank accounts using RTGS.

The payments were made over several days, indicating the level of psychological control the scammers had established over the victim.

It was only later that the victim realised he had been duped and approached the authorities.

Rise of Digital Arrest Scams in India

This case shows how digital arrest scams are becoming more common in India, where scammers pretend to be cops or government officials to scare people into paying up. They usually make up serious charges, show fake documents, and even do video or voice calls to make everything look real and convincing.

How to Stay Safe from Cyber Fraud

Authorities have repeatedly urged citizens to remain cautious and aware. Key precautions include:

• Never trust calls from unknown numbers claiming to be from government agencies
• Verify any legal claims directly with official authorities
• Do not share personal or financial details over phone or messaging apps
• Avoid transferring money under pressure or threats
• Report suspicious activity immediately to the cybercrime helpline (1930)