As cybercriminals become increasingly sophisticated, Karnataka has seen a surge in "Digital Arrest" cases, where fraudsters impersonate high-ranking government officials to extort money. In two separate incidents, a fan of actor Kiccha Sudeep lost lakhs to a fake terrorism probe, and a Bagalkot-based NGO was defrauded of crores under the pretext of receiving Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) funds.
The 'Digital Arrest' of Sharan R. Mukund
Sharan R. Mukund, a dedicated fan of superstar Kiccha Sudeep, became the latest victim of a terrifying "Digital Arrest" scam. The fraudsters contacted him claiming to be from the Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) and the National Investigation Agency (NIA). They alleged that his mobile number was linked to the Delhi Red Fort bomb blast and that his involvement had been "confirmed" by evidence.
To "clear" his name, the scammers conducted video calls from multiple unknown mobile numbers. A person posing as "Gaurav," an NIA officer, demanded Sharan's personal and bank details to record a formal "video statement." Exploiting his fear of the alleged terrorism charges, the fraudsters promised to issue a 'Certificate of Innocence' if he paid certain "government fees," which they claimed would be refunded once the investigation concluded. Terrified by the high-pressure tactics, Sharan transferred a total of ₹5.53 lakh in multiple installments. Upon realizing he had been cheated, he promptly filed a complaint with the South CEN Police and alerted the national cybercrime helpline (1930).
Bagalkot NGO Swindled of ₹2 Crore
In another major heist, the Jaya Bharata Mathe Nagara and Gramin Sevabhivruddhi Samsthe, an NGO based in Jamkhandi, Bagalkot, was targeted. The organization, which runs orphanages and old-age homes, had posted appeals for financial aid on social media.
Worming their way into the trust of the NGO’s secretary, Shashank Olavade, three individuals—identified as Surjit and Siddharth from Assam, and Manash Ghosh from West Bengal—promised to facilitate massive CSR funds from major companies. Instead of providing help, they gained access to the NGO's financial accounts and siphoned off ₹2 crore in just two days. The CEN police are currently investigating this interstate racket.
A Growing State Crisis
These incidents are part of a larger, alarming trend. Recent data reveals that Karnataka residents have lost over ₹312 crore to digital arrest scams in the last three years alone. High-profile victims, including celebrities and senior IT executives (one of whom recently lost ₹32 crore), have highlighted that no one is immune to these high-pressure tactics.
