Nagpur: A 69-year-old retired officer from Rameshwari allegedly lost ₹65.86 lakh after cyber fraudsters posing as officials of the Data Protection Board of India subjected him and his wife to a “digital arrest” for over two weeks, accusing him of being linked to a ₹2.5 crore banking fraud.

The victim, Bhalchandra Kisan Khobragade, a resident of Rameshwari Ring Road, told police that the fraud took place between September 22 and October 7.

According to his complaint, the fraudsters contacted him through WhatsApp video calls while posing as police officials in uniform. They allegedly claimed that ₹2.5 crore in suspected fraud proceeds had been deposited into a Canara Bank account opened in his name, making him a suspect in the case.

To make their claims appear credible, the accused allegedly sent forged Supreme Court orders, fake Reserve Bank of India (RBI) letters, fabricated Enforcement Directorate (ED) receipts, a counterfeit ATM card and forged bank statements through WhatsApp.

The fraudsters then allegedly told Khobragade and his wife that their assets needed to undergo government verification. By threatening legal action and keeping the couple under constant mental pressure, they allegedly prevented them from questioning the claims or seeking help.

Under this pretext, the accused allegedly compelled Khobragade to transfer money to designated bank accounts through multiple transactions. He eventually lost ₹65,86,100.

After realising that he had been cheated, Khobragade approached the Cyber police, who registered a case against unidentified persons, including the alleged fraudsters and the holders of bank accounts into which the money was transferred.

Police have invoked relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and the Information Technology Act. Further investigation is underway to identify the accused and trace the diverted funds.