In a remarkable display of presence of mind, a 13-year-old boy from Bareilly successfully thwarted an elaborate cyber fraud attempt in which scammers impersonating officials sought to extort money from his family through a so-called “digital arrest” tactic.
The incident involved a bakery owner, Sanjay Saxena, and his wife, who were targeted by fraudsters posing as officials from the National Investigation Agency (NIA).
The Scam Attempt
According to a report by The Times of India, the fraudsters contacted Saxena, falsely claiming that his phone number was linked to terrorist activities and a ₹300 crore financial scam.
To make their claims appear credible, the callers reportedly sent a fake “arrest warrant” and kept the couple engaged in a prolonged video call—a common tactic used in “digital arrest” scams to isolate victims and exert psychological pressure.
Fearing legal consequences, the couple had already begun sharing sensitive information, including bank details and information about valuables and property.
Teen Identifies the Fraud
The situation took a decisive turn when Saxena’s 13-year-old son, Tanmay Saxena, grew suspicious of the callers’ demands.
Recalling recent news reports about similar scams, Tanmay recognised the pattern. His suspicion intensified when the fraudsters began asking detailed questions about the family’s assets, including jewellery and property ownership.
Despite his parents’ hesitation to disconnect the call, Tanmay devised a simple yet effective strategy. He instructed his father to switch the phone to flight mode, assuring him that the call would not be disrupted.
The moment flight mode was activated, the connection was cut—effectively ending the scam attempt.
Police Response
The family immediately reported the incident to the authorities. Police registered an FIR and took precautionary measures, including freezing the victim’s bank accounts to prevent any potential financial loss.
Senior Superintendent of Police Anurag Arya stated that efforts are underway to identify and apprehend the accused.
Rising Threat of ‘Digital Arrest’ Scams
Cybercrime experts warn that “digital arrest” scams are becoming increasingly sophisticated, with fraudsters exploiting fear and authority to manipulate victims into compliance.
Safety Advisory
Authorities have reiterated key precautions for the public:
- Never share bank details, OTPs, or information about assets over phone or video calls, regardless of how official the caller appears.
- No legitimate government agency conducts arrests via phone or video call.
- Report suspicious calls immediately to the cybercrime helpline (1930) or via the official portal.
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