The Supreme Court has issued notices to the Central Government, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and other concerned authorities in a major cyber fraud case involving a 78-year-old retired banker. The case relates to an alleged digital scam in which the elderly victim was kept under so-called “digital arrest” for nearly a month and duped of approximately ₹23 crore.
What the Case Is About
According to the petition, cyber fraudsters impersonated officials of the Enforcement Directorate (ED) and the CBI to contact the retired banker. The accused allegedly convinced him that his Aadhaar details and bank accounts were linked to serious criminal activities.
Using fear and psychological pressure, the fraudsters restricted the victim to his residence in South Delhi, creating a situation described as “digital arrest,” where he was allegedly monitored and prevented from seeking outside help.
How the Fraud Was Carried Out
The petition states that the victim was repeatedly instructed to transfer his savings and investments to multiple bank accounts as part of a supposed verification process. Acting under constant threat and intimidation, the retired banker transferred funds to several accounts, resulting in a total loss of around ₹23 crore.
Plea Before the Supreme Court
In his plea, the retired banker has urged the Supreme Court to direct the concerned banks to recover the transferred money and credit it back to his account. The petition also raises concerns about the responsibility of banks and regulatory authorities in preventing such large-scale digital frauds, especially involving senior citizens.
Police Action and Investigation
After the fraud came to light, a complaint was lodged on the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal (NCRP). The investigation was subsequently handed over to the Intelligence Fusion and Strategic Operations (IFSO) unit. Law enforcement agencies have reportedly frozen several bank accounts linked to the scam in an effort to secure the defrauded funds.
A Wake-Up Call on Cybercrime
The case has drawn attention to the growing threat of cyber fraud targeting elderly individuals. The Supreme Court’s intervention is being seen as significant, as it may lead to stronger guidelines, enhanced banking safeguards, and clearer accountability mechanisms to combat sophisticated digital scams.