Bihar woman dies after losing ₹2.5 lakh in digital arrest scam

A woman in Bihar died after losing ₹2.5 lakh to perpetrators of a 'digital arrest' scam, police said on Tuesday. The victim had been targeted by fraudsters who impersonated law enforcement officials and threatened her with legal action, a common tactic used in online financial fraud schemes operating across India.

Local authorities are investigating the case as a suspected suicide. Investigators are scrutinizing suspicious phone numbers and financial transaction records that may be linked to the fraud. The police have also registered details regarding an unidentified man's body discovered in the vicinity, though the connection between the two deaths, if any, remains unclear.

'Digital arrest' scams have become increasingly prevalent across India, with victims targeted through calls and messages claiming to be from government agencies. Fraudsters typically demand payment to resolve fabricated legal issues, with victims often transferring substantial sums before realizing they have been deceived.

The Bihar police have urged residents to remain vigilant against such schemes and to report suspicious calls or messages to authorities immediately. Officials have appealed to financial institutions to flag unusual transaction patterns that may indicate fraud victims in distress.