In a shocking case of cyber fraud, a former Vice Chancellor of West Bengal State University has lost nearly ₹35 lakh after falling into a carefully planned online scam known as “digital arrest”. The victim, Professor Ashok Ranjan Thakur, is a 77 year old retired academic who lives in Salt Lake, Kolkata. According to police sources, cyber criminals kept him under constant mental pressure for almost two weeks in January and forced him to transfer large amounts of money.

The fraudsters contacted Professor Thakur over phone calls and claimed to be officials from the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre and other law enforcement agencies. They spoke confidently, used official sounding language, and created an atmosphere of fear and urgency. The callers told him that his name had come up in an international human trafficking and cyber crime network. They further claimed that he could be arrested under the National Security Act if he did not cooperate with their so called investigation.

Police officials said that the criminals used fear as their biggest weapon. They repeatedly warned Professor Thakur that any delay or refusal would lead to immediate arrest and public humiliation. To make their story look genuine, the fraudsters even sent fake notices using the name of the Supreme Court. These notices were designed to look official and were meant to convince the victim that the threat was real.

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As part of the scam, Professor Thakur was kept under what the criminals called “digital arrest”. He was instructed not to move freely and was asked to regularly share his location through encrypted messaging applications similar to Signal. Investigators revealed that he was forced to stay in constant contact with the fraudsters, who monitored him digitally and controlled his actions. In some instances, he was asked to share his screen while sitting with his wife, making the entire situation even more stressful and frightening.

The fraudsters claimed that all these steps were necessary for “verification”. They told Professor Thakur that his money had to be checked and cleared to prove that it was not linked to illegal activities. Under this false pretext, he was forced to break his fixed deposits. The money was then transferred through RTGS to bank accounts of two private companies whose details were provided by the criminals.

Over the course of nearly two weeks, a total amount of around ₹35 lakh was transferred. At no point did the fraudsters give him time to think calmly or verify their claims. They kept calling him repeatedly, creating panic and confusion. Being elderly and under severe mental stress, Professor Thakur believed their words and followed their instructions.

After realizing that he had been cheated, a complaint was lodged, and the Bidhannagar Cyber Crime Police Station has started an investigation into the case. Police officials are now tracking the phone numbers used by the fraudsters and examining the bank accounts where the money was transferred. Efforts are being made to recover the lost amount, though such cases are often challenging.

Senior police officers said that this type of fraud is increasing rapidly across the country. Criminals are increasingly pretending to be police officers, cyber crime officials, or officers from central agencies. They misuse the names of respected institutions like the Supreme Court to gain trust and scare people into giving away their money.

Police have strongly advised citizens to remain alert and calm if they receive such calls. No genuine law enforcement agency conducts investigations over phone calls or asks for money transfers for verification. People are also advised not to share personal details, bank information, or screen access with unknown callers. In case of any suspicious call, citizens should immediately contact local police or the cyber crime helpline.

This incident once again highlights how cyber criminals are targeting educated and senior citizens by exploiting fear and lack of awareness. Authorities are urging people to spread awareness among family members, especially the elderly, so that they do not fall victim to such scams. Staying informed and cautious is the best defense against these growing cyber crimes.