In Noida, a woman lost ₹34 lakh to cyber criminals who scared her by sending fake notices claiming to be from the Enforcement Directorate (ED). This type of scam, called a "digital arrest," has raised worries about the increase in online fraud.

Scam details and how it happened

According to the victim, Nidhi Paliwal, who lives in Sector-41, she received a call from the fraudsters on August 8 at around 10 PM. They claimed a parcel sent in her name from Mumbai to Iran contained illegal items, including five passports, debit cards, laptops, foreign currency, and narcotics.

The criminals sent her a fake complaint via WhatsApp and demanded ₹34 lakh to resolve the issue. They also video-called her on Skype, but with their video switched off.

Fake ED notices and investigation

The fraudsters sent two fake notices from the ED, accusing her of serious crimes. Scared, Paliwal transferred the money. Later, she filed a complaint at the Gautam Buddha cybercrime police station.

Inspector Vijay Kumar Gautam confirmed a case has been registered, and an investigation is underway to catch the scammers.

Stay safe from digital scams

Do not trust scammers. Be careful before accepting any parcel or order. Avoid relying on messages from WhatsApp or Facebook. Always double-check and confirm details with official sources. If you are tricked or feel suspicious, don’t panic. Go straight to your nearest police station and report the issue to them immediately.