Udupi Resident Loses 9.29 Lakh in Digital Arrest Scam

Last month, a resident of Udupi reported a loss of ₹9.29 lakh after being tricked into paying money via a fake “digital arrest” scam that impersonated law enforcement officials.

In the scam, the victim received an urgent message claiming they had been arrested for a non‑existent offence and that a digital payment was required to secure a bail “release”. The message was sent through a popular messaging app and contained a link to a counterfeit government portal. Once the victim clicked the link, they were asked to enter bank details and transfer the money, which was then funneled to the scammers’ accounts.

Cyber‑crime experts urge the public to verify any such claims with official police stations before making payments. The incident highlights the growing prevalence of phishing and social‑engineering attacks in Karnataka. Source: Google News – Udupi.