NEW DELHI: A model was reportedly held hostage digitally by cybercriminals for two hours and lost Rs 99,000, police revealed on Wednesday.
Shivankita Dixit, who claims herself as a former Femina Miss India, West Bengal 2017, reported the incident to authorities.
Dixit received a WhatsApp call on Tuesday from individuals claiming to be CBI officers, assistant commissioner of police (Lohamandi) Mayank Tiwari said.
“The accused threatened her with charges related to receiving illicit funds allegedly tied to human trafficking and drug trafficking. They demanded ₹99,000 to avoid arrest, which she paid,” Tiwari said. It was only after informing her family that Dixit realised she had fallen victim to a cyber scam.
An FIR has been lodged and further investigations are underway, Tiwari added.
‘Digital arrest‘
The crime, dubbed a ‘digital arrest,’ is a novel form of cyber fraud where perpetrators impersonate officials from agencies like the CBI or customs.
They intimidate victims through video calls, accusing them of being linked to fake international parcels containing banned drugs or money laundering cases, according to police.
(With inputs from agencies)